Public Health Degree Jobs In Demand
When you want pursue a career in public health, you have the option of choosing specialties that not only provide room for advancement but specializations that are in high demand. There are different types of public health jobs and careers with public health degree each with its unique demands and peculiarity.
According to the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), over a quarter of a million more public health workers will be needed globally by the year 2020. Public health workers in most countries are currently stretched because they are serving more people and communities with less personnel and fewer resources. In addition, the diminishing number of public health staff due to training gaps also means that there are fewer public health workers globally (there were 50,000 fewer public health workers in 2000 than in 1980). Currently, there is a global shortage of public health physicians, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, public health nurses, public health educators, and behavioral health experts
Public health major jobs are among the highest paying careers in the health sector as such obtaining some degree in public health from a college or university offers you a variety of opportunities and opens an array of possibilities especially when you specialize in among the fields listed below
Biostatistician
Biostatistics is a distinct discipline in public health. It deals with the application of statistics to a wide range of topics in biology. Rated as a top MPH program , It involves the collection, analysis, summary and interpretation of data or inference from the results. Biostatisticians are important members of the public health community because of the significance of the tools and concepts of biostatistics in data analysis and drawing of inferences which are some of the major features of disease surveillance and disease control. Biostatisticians usually have at least a bachelor’s degree in statistics or mathematics. Earning a master’s degree in biostatistics will help you earn a higher salary in public health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS, the median salary for biostatisticians in the United States is $72,800 per year with the top 10% earning more than $119,000 per annum.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists are public health professionals who study disease outbreaks, disease patterns, disease locations, their causes and how communities and populations are affected. The activities of epidemiologist are very critical in disease control and prevention because the framework of epidemiology focuses on the utilization of field information to aid in the prevention of future outbreaks and the control of disease spread. Epidemiologists work the academia, usually in Universities, Colleges and other higher institutions of learning such as institutes of public health where they train and equip upcoming epidemiologists and other professionals with the needed skills in epidemiology. They also form the bulk of the health staff in many Health Departments and government organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Health Service. Another major place where epidemiologist play major roles is in international bodies and Non-governmental Organization such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, Action Aid, Fhi 360 among many others.
Epidemiologist Salary in the United States
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS, the median salary for epidemiologists in the US is $63,000 per year. In general, epidemiologists earn an average of between $65,270 to $108,320.
Epidemiologist Salary in the United Kingdom
An epidemiologist in the United Kingdom that has Specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) or the UK Public Health Register can earn an average salary of between £76,761 to £103,490. Individuals with a master’s degree in epidemiology can earn between £30,000 to £40,000.
Environmental Health Scientists
Environmental Health is the field of public health concerned with how environmental factors- biotic and abiotic factors (living and non-living factors) influences human health, disease and general well-being. The environment plays a significant role in disease etiology, understanding the interplay between various factors in the environment is the duty of an environmental health scientist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics LBS, the median salary for environmental health scientists in the US is $61,700 annually. Learn more about Environment Health READ: Environmental Factors Affecting Health
Behavioral Health Scientist
Mental disorders currently account for the highest burden of disability especially in the United Sates. Today the global dynamics of diseases is changing and mental illnesses are now more common than cancer, heart disease or diabetes. Available data shows that over twenty six percent of all Americans aged eighteen and above meet the criteria for having a mental illness. On the global sphere, available scientific data from the World Health Organization suggests that about half of the world’s population are affected by mental illnesses. The current global cost of mental illness according to the global health body is nearly $2.5 trillion with a projected increase to over $6 trillion United States dollars by the year 2030. With the exploding mental health challenge worldwide, it is expected that earnings in the field of behavioral health will experience a dramatic increase with huge potential benefits for the public health workforce especially MPH degree holders in social and behavioral health. The average salary for behavioral health professionals ranges from approximately $46,853 per year for Research Associate to $82,341 per year for Scientist. See The 5 Prerequisites for Sound Mental Health
Public Health Engineer
Health and Safety Engineers are employed to work in the construction sector, scientific sphere and technical services. They are also employed in government agencies and non-governmental organizations. In manufacturing, their inputs ensure a hazard free manufacturing environment and safer consumer products A Health and Safety Engineer also design systems and procedures that prevents people from getting sick or injured. A public health engineer will normally have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, public health, occupational health or industrial hygiene. The national average salary of a health and safety engineer is $81,726. Also See : Careers With Public Health Degree
Public Health Careers Salaries
Virtually all the specializations or disciplines that constitutes the core public health competences have many job opportunities that can advance your public health career not withstanding your abilities or interests. The annual range of public health career salary for career public health specialists with an MPH degree are:
-Environmental health: $44,500-$143,600
-Public health practice: $41,200-$102,000
-Epidemiology: $38,100-$136,235
-Clinical research worker: $38,000-$51,500
-Health education: $33,000-$86,400
-International health: $32,000-$84,000
-Nutrition: $32,000-$71,000
-Religious organizations: $40,400
-Social assistance: $34,800
