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What is an Epidemiologist?

Epidemiologist Job Description Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

What Do Epidemiologists Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.
  • Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
  • Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
  • Plan, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians, and others.
  • Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
  • Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.

What Every Epidemiologist Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Epidemiologists say are important on the job.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

  • Environmental Epidemiologist
  • Infection Control Practitioner (ICP)
  • Histopathologist
  • Communicable Disease Specialist
  • Epidemiologist

Is There Going to be Demand for Epidemiologists?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 6,100 jobs in the United States for Epidemiologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Epidemiologist by 2026. There will be an estimated 600 positions for Epidemiologist per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Epidemiologist are South Carolina, Florida, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Virginia, Oregon, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Epidemiologists Make A Lot Of Money?

The average yearly salary of an Epidemiologist ranges between $42,240 and $112,600.

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Epidemiologists who work in New Jersey, District of Columbia, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Epidemiologists make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $59,650
Arkansas $62,890
California $92,040
Colorado $60,550
Connecticut $86,250
District of Columbia $106,740
Florida $44,350
Georgia $64,160
Illinois $84,810
Indiana $74,640
Kansas $63,820
Kentucky $53,560
Louisiana $54,620
Maryland $77,330
Massachusetts $107,670
Michigan $72,820
Minnesota $71,870
Missouri $61,110
Montana $66,360
New Jersey $94,450
New Mexico $67,130
New York $91,880
North Carolina $82,820
Ohio $69,680
Oklahoma $68,530
Oregon $71,470
Pennsylvania $79,690
Tennessee $84,560
Texas $71,320
Virginia $67,110
Washington $102,490
West Virginia $51,910
Wisconsin $78,250

Tools & Technologies Used by Epidemiologists

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Epidemiologists may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Data visualization software
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Database software
  • SAS
  • Facebook
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • R
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Tableau
  • StataCorp Stata
  • ESRI ArcView
  • ESRI ArcInfo

Becoming an Epidemiologist

What education is needed to be an Epidemiologist?

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What work experience do I need to become an Epidemiologist?

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Who Employs Epidemiologists?

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Epidemiologists work in the following industries:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming an Epidemiologist might also be interested in the following careers:

Those who work as an Epidemiologist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Ernst Haeckel via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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