# Epidemiologists

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/epidemiologists
- SOC code: 19-1041.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $87,220 (10th percentile $61,270, 90th percentile $138,800)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +18.7%
- Openings a year: 800
- Typical entry education: Master's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code ISC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 30 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 20 |
| Social (S) | 52 |
| Enterprising (E) | 23 |
| Conventional (C) | 44 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 99/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 91/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 90/100)
- Processing Information (importance 90/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 90/100)
- Getting Information (importance 88/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 88/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 86/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 82/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 78/100)

## Skills

Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Science, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Systems Analysis

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Biology, English Language, Medicine and Dentistry, Computers and Electronics, Communications and Media, Education and Training, Sociology and Anthropology, Administration and Management, Public Safety and Security

## Also called

Chronic Disease Epidemiologist, Clinical Epidemiologist, Clinical Lab Scientist (Clinical Laboratory Scientist), Clinical Researcher, Communicable Diseases Specialist, Environmental Epidemiologist, Epidemiologist, Epidemiologist Researcher, Epidemiology Analyst, Epidemiology Investigator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Public Health](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5122) (CIP 5122, 836 colleges)
- [Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2613) (CIP 2613, 353 colleges)
- [Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2604) (CIP 2604, 182 colleges)
- [Microbiological Sciences and Immunology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2605) (CIP 2605, 169 colleges)
- [Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5114) (CIP 5114, 79 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $48,738 | $117,816 | not reported |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | not reported | $103,546 | $14,935 |
| [Utah State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/utah-state-university-3102) | Public Health | $77,239 | $93,161 | not reported |
| [Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yale-university-3312) | Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $36,472 | $92,646 | not reported |
| [University of California-Santa Barbara UCSB](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-santa-barbara-ucsb-2888) | Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $51,399 | $90,061 | $14,607 |
| [University of Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Public Health | not reported | $89,522 | $17,279 |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Public Health | $55,305 | $87,217 | $19,500 |
| [Montana Technological University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/montana-technological-university-1758) | Public Health | not reported | $86,855 | $25,200 |

## Related careers

- [Preventive Medicine Physicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/preventive-medicine-physicians): $265,930 median pay
- [Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-scientists-except-epidemiologists): $103,410 median pay
- [Clinical Nurse Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-nurse-specialists): $97,550 median pay
- [Geneticists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geneticists): $98,920 median pay
- [Physicians, Pathologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physicians-pathologists): $312,400 median pay
- [General Internal Medicine Physicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/general-internal-medicine-physicians): $256,560 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.