By: Nurse.org Staff

Medically reviewed by: Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC

If you are a problem solver who loves research and is dedicated to improving the well-being of others, then a career as an epidemiologist may be right for you. 

Epidemiologists are frequently referred to as “disease detectives,” because they are scientifically trained to investigate health problems, looking into their causes, prevalence, and impact.

To help you figure out if epidemiology is the right career for you, we've put together this helpful guide. Read on to find out what an epidemiologist is, what they do, how to become one and more!

Part One What Is an Epidemiologist? 

Epidemiologists study the incidence and distribution of diseases, illnesses, and all other factors relating to health that affect a given group of people. Though people tend to associate the word “epidemic” with epidemiologists, that is not exactly correct. The Latin word “epidemios” means on the people, and that is a truer representation of what an epidemiologist does.

Epidemiologists study events like the outbreak of a disease as well more “established” diseases including, 

• HIV
• Tuberculosis
• COVID
• Ebola

Their inquiries are essentially limitless, and they can study all illnesses, injuries, or health impacts in nearly any population sample.  

For example, they may study:

1. The effect of a specific drug on a given demographic
2. How an illness is transmitted
3. The effect of education within a geographic area. 

Skills Needed to Be an Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists are information gatherers and analysts. Some focus on research and methodology while others specialize in infection control or teaching. However, they all share the primary goal of answering questions that affect health, safety, and welfare.

This profession requires analytical skills, critical thinking, and a drive to solve problems.

Where Can Epidemiologists Work? 

These healthcare professionals work in a variety of environments including government and nonprofit agencies, hospitals, academic institutions, and corporations. 

Some gather information in the field, some work in laboratories, and some disseminate findings to the public or to policymakers. 

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Part Two What Do Epidemiologists Do? 

Epidemiologists are data-driven professionals who collect and analyze information on given groups in relation to specific diseases in order to draw conclusions and guide policy. 

These healthcare professionals investigate everything from the sources of food poisoning to the cause of influenza outbreaks. They perform fieldwork to assess and identify risks and outcomes and to prevent future health problems. 

In the course of their work, they consider many different aspects of a disease or injury, ranging from the population or demographic, social trends and behaviors, education, and transmission.

Part Three Types of Epidemiologists

There are several different areas of inquiry that epidemiologists can pursue. Here are some of the primary types of epidemiologists:

Infection Control (Hospital) Epidemiologists

Infection Control Epidemiologists work to control disease and limit its spread within health care settings. Job responsibilities include:

• Educating and enforcing hygiene use among health care workers
• Monitoring and reporting infection data
• Improving hospital safety for patients and employees

Pharmaceutical Epidemiologists

Pharmaceutical Epidemiologists study how drugs affect a population over time, creating important reports about safety, efficacy and impact on public health and the health of individuals. They review how conditions spread, who specifically they affect, and what treatments have an impact. These epidemiologists generally work in a lab setting.

Medical Epidemiologists

Medical Epidemiologists monitor disease outbreaks and study their pathology, prevention, and cures. Most medical epidemiologists have a medical degree as well as practice experience.

Infectious Disease Epidemiologists

Infectious Disease Epidemiologists research the impact of disease on a demographic group or on society as a whole, including COVID-19, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, diarrheal pathogens, and tuberculosis. These scientists also perform research related to vaccines and vaccine efficacy.

Field Epidemiologists

Field Epidemiologists investigate and study the impact of disasters or acute public health crises on communities. This type of epidemiologist work at the ground level and serve communities during a severe, acute public health crisis. For example, during the Ebola crisis, field epidemiologists were on site in parts of Africa researching and studying the pathogen. 

Disaster response is another important area for field epidemiologists and are often employed for government organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) or National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Molecular Epidemiologists

Molecular Epidemiologists combine molecular biology with the statistical analysis of disease in order to identify their cause and to prevent and protect against their transmission.

Molecular biologists work in pharmaceuticals, biotech, academia, or for the government.

Veterinary Epidemiologists

Veterinary Epidemiologists, also called epizootiologists or epizoologists, specialize in the study of patterns of disease in animal species. They are specialized veterinarians and have a doctorate degree. 

Applied Epidemiologists

Applied Epidemiologists focus on research statistics, and data analysis, largely in government agencies.

Part Four Epidemiologist Salary 

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), epidemiologists make a median annual salary of $78,520 or $37.75 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,170, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $123,430. Unfortunately, the BLS does not differentiate between the different types of epidemiologists.   

Epidemiology Salary Factors

The difference in income is largely a measure of where an epidemiologist works as well as the specific type of epidemiologist. Those who work in scientific research and development earn significantly more than those who work in nonprofit agencies.

Highest Paying States for Epidemiologists

In addition to the salary differential based on the work environment, there are also regional differences in the compensation that epidemiologists earn. The five top-paying states for epidemiologists are: 

The five top-paying states for epidemiologists are: 

• District of Columbia - $128,860
• New York - $125,880
• New Jersey - $118,240
• Washington - $113,160
• Pennsylvania- $108,370

Top 5 paying metropolitan areas for Epidemiologists: 

• Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY: $137,950
• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $135,690
• Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD: $122,640
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: $121,330
• Durham-Chapel Hill, NC: $115,780

According to ZipRecruiter.com, the average annual pay for an epidemiologist is $84,259 a year. The majority of epidemiologist salaries currently range between $44,500 to $125,000. Top paying cities, according to ZipRecruiter are:

Job Perks and Benefits

Epidemiologists are rewarded with solid, generous salaries and – for the most part – regular working hours. They also receive benefits like health, life and dental insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, and other employee benefits. 

Beyond those tangible aspects of their compensation, many enter the field out of an interest in improving public health and find that the good they do is a reward unto itself. 

Part Five How Do You Become an Epidemiologist? 

Step 1.) Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree 

Epidemiology is not offered as an undergraduate degree, although there are certificate programs available in the field. But you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible for the master’s level programs.

Step 2.) Enroll in a Masters-Level Epidemiology Program

This profession’s base level of education is a master’s degree, most commonly a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology or a Master of Science in Public Health in Epidemiology. 

These graduate programs generally attract students who have majored in an affiliated field of study as undergraduates. These might include biostatistics, health, math, or science-related fields. 

Program Requirements

To be accepted to one of these programs, applicants generally will need: 

• A personal statement indicating their interest in the field
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation
• College transcripts reflecting a minimum GPA in an adjacent area of study
• GRE scores above a certain threshold 

Upon acceptance into an epidemiology program, students are generally required to complete a specific number of credit hours of coursework as well as a minimum number of hours of practice experience. 

Many programs also require the completion of a thesis derived from an integrative learning experience. 

Epidemiology Coursework

Coursework typically includes:

• Statistics
• Public health
• Math
• Biology and physical sciences
• Medical informatics
• Research methodology
• Comparative healthcare systems
• Survey and study design

In many instances, physicians and advanced practice nurses will pursue degrees in epidemiology in combination with their existing degrees. 

Step 3.) Continue Your Education

Additionally, those who have earned a Master’s in Epidemiology often continue their education to pursue a Ph.D. in Epidemiology. 

This requires an additional two to three years of study and presentation of a doctoral dissertation. 

Part Six What Is the Career Outlook for Epidemiologists? 

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the career outlook for epidemiologists is promising, with an expectation that the need for epidemiologists will grow by 27% between 2022 and 2032. 

This is a reflection of an increased interest and need for public health, as well as a rise in the need for understanding of communicable diseases, attitudes towards preventive care, and other pressing issues impacting society.  

Part Seven What are the Continuing Education Requirements for Epidemiologists? 

Becoming an Epidemiologist is a matter of earning a master’s or doctoral degree in the field, and does not require certification or continuing education. 

Certification is available for those who wish to enhance their credentials in infection control, but those who have earned the degree pursue these credentials on a voluntary basis. 

Part Eight Where Can I Learn More About Becoming an Epidemiologist? 

If you would like more information about becoming an epidemiologist, you will find extensive resources through the various organizations that support and promote the field. These include:

• The American College of Epidemiology
• The American Public Health Association
• The Society for Epidemiologic Research
• The International Epidemiological Association
• The American Epidemiological Society

Part Nine Epidemiology FAQs

• What does an epidemiologist do?

  • Epidemiologists collect information and analyze it in order to identify patterns and causes of health and safety issues.  Their goal varies depending upon the environment in which they work, but usually centers or prevention, protection, policy and education.

• Is an epidemiologist a doctor?

  • Many epidemiologists hold Ph.D. degrees. Some have a medical degree and others have a veterinary degree.

• What degree do you need to be an epidemiologist?

  • Epidemiologist professionals generally have a minimum of a master’s degree. Some go on to pursue more advanced degrees and some come to the profession already holding other degrees, including an M.D. or MSN.