Most people still don’t realize how many job opportunities exist in public health. The COVID pandemic changed a lot – suddenly people knew what epidemiologists and public health researchers did. If you’re thinking about a public health major, you’re looking at a field that’s growing rapidly and isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
You can work for the government, nonprofit organizations, private companies, or even health tech companies now. This guide covers what you need to know about public health careers, from community college programs to six-figure management roles.
What Is a Public Health Major?
Public health majors learn how to tackle health problems that affect entire communities rather than individual patients. You’ll study disease patterns, figure out what makes people sick, and develop programs to keep populations healthy.
The coursework covers epidemiology (disease detective work), biostatistics (crunching health data), environmental health, and health policy. You’ll also learn about social determinants of health – basically, how where people live and work affects their health outcomes. Modern programs throw in some data analysis tools and geographic information systems because everything runs on data now.
How to Become a Public Health Professional: Public Health Education Options
You don’t need a four-year degree in health sciences to start in public health, though it helps for advancement. The field has gotten more flexible about backgrounds – I’ve met public health workers who started in business, teaching, even construction.
Public Health Bootcamp
These short-term programs range from weekend workshops to three-month intensive courses. They’re popular with career changers who want to get up to speed quickly. The good ones combine online learning with hands-on projects.
Best Public Health Bootcamps (2025)
- Climate Change and Health Leadership Program – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Health Equity and Community Engagement Certificate – University of Washington School of Public Health
- Emergency Preparedness and Response Training – CDC Foundation Professional Development
Public Health Associate Degree
Two-year programs focus on practical skills that get you hired immediately. They’re big on community health worker training now because states started paying for these services through Medicaid. Associate programs teach you electronic health records, basic data analysis, and community outreach methods.
Top Associate Degree Programs in Public Health (2025)
- Austin Community College
- Portland Community College
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Sinclair Community College
- Gateway Community College
Public Health Bachelor’s Degree
Many bachelor’s programs now require internships, which is smart because you need real-world experience. You’ll learn GIS mapping, program evaluation, and health informatics alongside traditional public health courses.
Leading Bachelor’s Programs in Public Health (2024)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Arizona State University
- University of California, San Diego
- Colorado State University
- Florida International University
Public Health Master’s Degree
The Master of Public Health (MPH) remains the gold standard, but schools added specialized tracks in health tech, climate health, and health equity. Online MPH programs have been getting more popular over the past few years – even prestigious schools offer them now.
If you want to run programs or work at the federal level, you’ll probably need the master’s degree. It’s also required for most epidemiologist positions.
Top Master’s Programs in Public Health (2024)
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
- University of Michigan School of Public Health
- Duke University Global Health Institute
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
Public Health Career Overview: Is a Public Health Career Worth It?
Public Health Job Outlook
The job market is hot right now. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% growth for community health workers and 7% growth for health education specialists through 2033. That’s way faster than most other fields.Epidemiologists have it even better – 19% projected growth over the next decade. COVID showed how understaffed public health departments were, so Congress has proposed a bill called the Public Health Funding Restoration Act to fund public health initiatives and beef up the workforce.
Best Jobs for Public Health Majors: What Can You Do with a Public Health Degree?
The career options expanded way beyond traditional health department roles. Tech companies hire public health people now, and climate change created entirely new job categories.
Best Jobs for Public Health Associate Degree Majors
Job Title | Median Salary (2025) |
Community Health Worker | $51,030 |
Environmental Health Technician | $49,490 |
Health Information Specialist | $67,310 |
Community Health Worker
- Average Salary: $51,030
- Job Outlook: 13% (much faster than the national average)
Community health workers got huge recognition during the pandemic. They work directly with communities, often focusing on underserved populations. The job expanded to include helping people navigate telehealth and digital health tools.
Many states now require certification and reimburse for these services through Medicaid. It’s become a legitimate healthcare profession with career advancement opportunities.
Environmental Health Technician
- Average Salary: $49,490
- Job Outlook: 7% (faster than the national average)
These technicians investigate pollution, inspect workplaces for safety hazards, and monitor environmental compliance. Climate change concerns boosted this field, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act created thousands of new positions.
You might specialize in air quality monitoring or work on environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities.
Health Information Specialist
- Average Salary: $67,310
- Job Outlook: 16% (much faster than the national average)
Health information specialists manage electronic health records and ensure privacy compliance. The role grew as healthcare went digital and community health centers implemented new systems.
You’ll work with databases, run reports, and make sure patient information stays secure and accessible to authorized users.
Best Jobs for Public Health Bachelor’s Degree Majors
Job Title | Median Salary (2025) |
Median Salary (2025) | $117,960 |
Environmental Scientist | $80,060 |
Health Education Specialist | $63,000 |
Health Services Manager
- Average Salary: $117,960
- Job Outlook: 29% (much faster than the national average)
Healthcare management roles expanded as hospitals focused more on population health and quality improvement. You’ll oversee programs, coordinate care across multiple settings, and implement new technologies.
This job requires understanding both clinical operations and public health principles.
Environmental Scientist
- Average Salary: $80,060
- Job Outlook: 7% (as fast as average)
Environmental scientists studying public health focus on air quality, water safety, and how climate change affects human health. If you are interested in how the environment impacts humans and other animals, or climate justice, this is a great path for you to pursue.
Health Education Specialist
- Average Salary: $63,000
- Job Outlook: 7% (faster than the national average)
Health education specialists develop and run programs that teach people about healthy behaviors and disease prevention. You might create smoking cessation workshops, design diabetes education materials, or coordinate workplace wellness programs. The job involves community outreach with schools, hospitals, workplaces, and community centers.
Most specialists focus on specific health issues like substance abuse, chronic disease management, or sexual health. You need strong communication skills for presenting to groups and writing educational materials. The role expanded during COVID as organizations needed specialists to communicate about vaccines, testing, and prevention measures. It’s a good fit if you like teaching and working with diverse communities.
Best Jobs for Public Health Master’s Degree Majors
Job Title | Median Salary (2025) |
Epidemiologist | $83,980 |
Chief Public Health Officer | $166,511 |
Health Technology Director | $107,218 |
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Epidemiologist
- Average Salary: $83,980
Epidemiologists are the disease detectives of the public health world. They investigate outbreaks, track disease patterns, and figure out what’s making people sick. The profession evolved to include infectious disease modeling and chronic disease surveillance.
Many work remotely now, analyzing data from multiple locations and contributing to national health monitoring. Government agencies, healthcare systems, and research institutions all hire epidemiologists.
Chief Public Health Officer
- Average Salary: $166,511
Senior public health leadership gained visibility during the pandemic. These roles involve policy development, strategic planning, and public communication especially during health emergencies.
Many jurisdictions elevated the position and improved pay to attract qualified candidates. You’ll work with elected officials, manage large budgets, and represent your agency to the media.
Health Technology Director
- Average Salary: $107,218
Technology leadership combines public health expertise with digital innovation. You’ll oversee health information systems, manage data integration projects, and evaluate new health technologies.
The position requires coordinating between technical teams and public health practitioners who may not understand technology well.
Four Current Strategies to Launch Your Public Health Career
Build Your Online Presence
LinkedIn became essential for public health networking. Join groups, share relevant articles, and comment on posts from public health leaders. Consider starting a blog or social media presence focused on public health topics. This type of experience and resume builder will demonstrate expertise and help you connect with potential employers.
Get Certified
Industry certifications differentiate you from other candidates. The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential is becoming a preferred qualification for many positions. There are also many specialized certifications like in health informatics, emergency preparedness, or community health work provide targeted skill validation.
Apply for Fellowship Programs
Federal fellowships like the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service provide paid training while building professional networks. Many offer loan forgiveness benefits. State and local health departments expanded fellowship offerings, particularly in epidemiology and health equity.
These programs give you real-world experience and often lead to permanent positions.
Learn to Work Across Sectors
Public health challenges require collaboration across healthcare, technology, education, and criminal justice sectors. Professionals who understand multiple systems find more opportunities and advance faster.
Participate in community coalitions and multi-sector initiatives. These experiences build valuable skills and expand your professional network.
The Bottom Line on Public Health Careers
Public health has always existed, but it re-emerged from the pandemic as an essential field with better pay and more opportunities. Technology integration, climate adaptation, and health equity drive new job creation.
Federal investments in public health infrastructure, combined with growing recognition of prevention’s value, suggest sustained career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ positive projections reflect real workforce needs.
For students considering public health careers, the timing is good. The field offers meaningful work addressing serious challenges, competitive pay, and diverse pathways. Whether you want direct community work, policy development, or cutting-edge research, public health provides opportunities to improve population health.
Sources
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
- https://www.usnews.com/higher-education/online-education/articles/discover-current-online-learning-trends
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/community-health-workers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/health-information-technologists-and-medical-registrars.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Chief-Health-Officer-Salary
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Healthcare-It-Director-Salary
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