Master of Public Health Jobs in High-Demand Fields

The Expanding Landscape of Public Health Careers

If you’ve ever thought about making a tangible difference in the health of communities and populations, then exploring Master of Public Health jobs might be the career move for you. With a credential like the Master of Public Health (MPH) in hand, you’re positioned not only to respond to public health challenges, but to lead efforts in policy, research, data, and community impact. Learn more about these in-demand jobs and what you can expect from Master of Public Health careers.

The Expanding Landscape of Public Health Careers

The public health sector is expanding rapidly, especially in a post-pandemic world. There’s growing recognition of the need for professionals who can address infectious disease threats, chronic disease, health equity, environmental health issues, and improve community health outcomes. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in health-related fields continues to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.¹ If you want to work in epidemic surveillance, environmental health, community health education, global health, policy analysis, or biostatistics—you can! The flexibility of this field makes it an attractive choice for aspiring professionals who may want to pivot or evolve over time. If you’re considering jobs for MPH degree holders, you’re stepping into a field with strong demand, a wide array of possible sectors and roles, and the ability to tailor your focus. Types of organizations hiring MPH professionals include:

• Government agencies (local, state, and federal)
• Nonprofit/community organizations
• Healthcare systems
• Private sector firms and consultancies
• Research institutions

Eight High-Demand Master of Public Health Jobs

Here are several of the top jobs with Master of Public Health credentials, along with descriptions, work settings, and key responsibilities.

1. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the patterns and causes of diseases and injuries in populations. Their responsibilities are to design and conduct population studies, analyze data on incidence and prevalence of health outcomes, advise on prevention strategies, track outbreaks, and report findings to decision-makers. These professionals are on the frontline of detecting and controlling disease outbreaks, contributing to public health policy, and implementing preventive programs that save lives. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $83,980 for epidemiologists in 2024, with higher-than-average salaries correlated to work in hospitals ($99,690) and scientific and research and development services ($130,390).²

2. Public Health Analyst/Research Analyst

Public health analysts and research analysts conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses, monitor health metrics, evaluate effectiveness of public health interventions, produce recommendations for improvements, support grant writing, and contribute to policy development. Public health analysts turn data into actionable insights, helping to allocate resources effectively, assess program performance, and drive health equity. According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a public health analyst in the U.S. was $76,514 in November 2025, with a salary range of $64,195 to $90,003, depending on employer and experience level.³

3. Health Policy Analyst/Healthcare Administrator

These professionals work on the policy side of health: shaping regulations, assessing health systems, managing organizations, and guiding strategic direction. They evaluate health policies, measure program outcomes, oversee budgets, lead teams, develop strategic plans, and maintain compliance with regulations. Health policy analysts and healthcare administrators influence how health services are delivered, ensure systems are efficient and equitable, and shape policies that affect entire communities. According to Payscale, health policy analysts made an average base salary of $69,520 per year in April 2025, with skills in legislative policy analysis correlated to salaries that were above average.⁴ Some health policy analysts advance to positions as healthcare administrators. These roles offer higher salary potential, with Payscale reporting an average base salary of $82,343 per year as of October 2025.5 With ten years of experience, healthcare administrators make about $92,000 per year.⁵

4. Environmental Health Specialist

An environmental health specialist examines how environmental factors (air/water quality, chemicals, climate change, and more) affect human health. Their key responsibilities are to assess environmental hazards, monitor exposures, conduct inspections/fieldwork, model risk, advise on mitigation strategies, and coordinate with public health and environmental agencies. These roles protect communities from environmental threats; reduce health burdens associated with pollution, climate change or exposure; and support sustainability of public health. The salary range for environmental health specialists in the U.S. was $63,000 to $103,000 per year in April 2025, according to Glassdoor.⁶ The top-paying specialties for these professionals were government and public administration, which correlated to higher salaries.⁶

5. Health Educator/Community Health Professional

Health educators and community health professionals promote healthy lifestyles, design and implement education campaigns, interface with communities, and run outreach programs. They are experts at assessing community needs through education programs and materials. These professionals help bridge gaps between health systems and communities, and their important work improves preventative care, increases health literacy, and reduces disparities that impact at-risk populations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage for health education specialists of $69,790 in May 2023. These roles are in consistent demand, with 57,800 professionals employed in the U.S as of May 2023.⁷

6. Biostatistician

A biostatistician in public health uses statistical methods to analyze health data, support research studies, evaluate programs, and advise on interventions. They’re often responsible for designing statistical models, analyzing large data sets, interpreting results of complex data, contributing to policy design, and collaborating with epidemiologists and other public health researchers. These specialists bring quantitative rigor to public health decisions, turning raw data into actionable policy and program insights. Salary.com reported that, as of November 1, 2025, the average annual pay of biostatisticians in the U.S. was $108,907, with most of these professionals earning between $95,621 and $121,634. At the intermediate career level, biostatisticians earned $122,158 on average.⁸

7. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Emergency preparedness coordinators plan for and respond to public health emergencies such as pandemics, natural disasters, bioterrorism, and large-scale accidents. These professionals are responsible for developing and maintaining emergency response plans, coordinating drills and training, communicating across agencies, evaluating and improving preparedness systems, supporting emergency communications, and overseeing logistics in emergencies. They ensure that communities are ready for crises by securing public health infrastructures and reducing the risk of large-scale harm. According to Glassdoor, the average yearly salary for emergency preparedness coordinators was $80,000 in April 2025, with a range of $64,000 to $102,000 for those in large companies with several years of experience.⁹

8. Global Health Program Manager

These professionals drive health improvements across nations, tackle global disease threats, improve health systems in developing regions, and contribute to international health equity. They oversee international public health programs, research initiatives, and healthcare systems. In their roles, global health program managers collaborate on international projects, monitor and evaluate global health interventions, coordinate efforts across cultures, develop budgets, engage stakeholders, and ensure the sustainability of their programs. Salary.com reported that global program managers made an average salary of $142,866 per year in November 2025, with salary potential varying widely based on years of experience.¹⁰ An entry-level global program manager earns $138,817 per year, while a program manager who is considered an expert could make $143,753.¹⁰

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Are you ready to reach your full potential in your career?

Discover eight in-demand public health jobs and learn what you can expect from a Master of Public Health career.

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Master of Public Health Salary Expectations and Career Growth

If you’re strategizing for the optimum MPH degree salary and excellent career prospects, know that there is meaningful upside to aligning with high-demand fields, specializing your focus, gaining experience, and choosing favorable sectors/locations. For recent MPH graduates entering roles like health educators, public health analysts or emergency preparedness coordinators, salaries may start more modestly and vary by region and sector. Some locations will pay more than others, and the same is true for sectors such as government, private sector, community, and nonprofit work. Moving into leadership roles (such as public health director, chief epidemiologist, and global program manager) can lead to significantly higher salaries.

Preparing for a Successful Public Health Career

To optimize your public health career, you’ll want to develop key skills, align your education toward your ultimate goals, gain practical experience, investigate professional certifications, and take advantage of networking opportunities within the public health community. Some of the skills that employers look for in public health professionals are:

• Quantitative analysis and statistical skills (especially epidemiology/biostatistics)
• Program planning, monitoring, and evaluation
• Policy analysis and systems thinking
• Communication skills
• Leadership, collaboration, and project management
• Cultural competence and an understanding of social determinants of health and health equity

An MPH program will help you hone these skills while determining the area of specialty you’d like to move into. You’ll learn more about environmental health, global health, biostatistics, epidemiology, policy/administration, outreach, and public health education. You might also get the opportunity for internships and practical experience through hands-on work. Some MPH graduates choose to pursue professional credentials through specialized certifications in data analytics, project management (PMP), environmental health, and healthcare administration. These certifications showcase your expertise and add to your resume.

Boost Your Public Health Career

The field of public health is more vital and more dynamic than ever. With a Master of Public Health career, you’re not just entering a job path, you’re also entering a vocation of impact, purpose, and growth. From epidemiology to data analytics, from policy leadership to community outreach, the opportunities for Master of Public Health jobs are diverse and growing. With robust career trajectories and roles that matter, an MPH can be your gateway to a career that blends meaning with momentum. If you’re ready to take the next step, choose an MPH program that aligns with your ambitions while building your experience and skill set. Consider how an option like the online MPH at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can propel you into high-demand roles. The program is designed for working professionals and delivered fully online, offering the flexibility to balance work, school, and life commitments. Through an innovative online learning platform, you’ll experience curriculum crafted by experts. Explore core public health disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy, and design and evaluation of community health programs and interventions. In addition to career-relevant expertise, you can take advantage of the robust career support for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota students and graduates. These include:

• Career self-assessments to help you identify your strengths and goals
• Resume and cover letter support to tailor your application for specific MPH jobs
• Interview preparation, job and internship search assistance, and networking/mentorship opportunities
• Graduate school guidance (if you later choose to pursue a doctoral path)
• Job-offer evaluation and negotiation support

Explore the online MPH at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and see how the program could help you position yourself for success in the broad and expanding landscape of MPH jobs. Read More About the Online MPH Program

Sources

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. “Healthcare Occupations.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. “Epidemiologists.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
3. Salary.com. “How Much Does a Public Health Analyst Make in the United States?” November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/public-health-analyst-salary
4. Payscale. “Average Health Policy Analyst Salary.” April 24, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Health_Policy_Analyst/Salary
5. Payscale. “Average Healthcare Administrator Salary.” October 26, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Healthcare_Administrator/Salary
6. Glassdoor. “How much does an Environmental Health Specialist make?” April 10, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/environmental-health-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,31.htm
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023. 21-1091 Health Education Specialists.” April 3, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes211091.htm
8. Salary.com. “Biostatistician Salary in United States.” November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/core/biostatistician-salary
9. Glassdoor. “How much does an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator make?” April 10, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/emergency-preparedness-coordinator-salary-SRCH_KO0,34.htm
10. Salary.com. “Global Program Manager Salary in the United States.” November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/global-program-manager-salary