How much does a epidemiologist make?
Answer: A typical epidemiologist in the United States makes $87,220 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 12,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Epidemiologist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $61,270 | $87,220 | $138,800 | about 12,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 | about 660 |
| California | $110,760 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $108,240 | about 1,000 |
| Maryland | $101,830 | about 600 |
| New York | $80,220 | about 670 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, skills, employer type, and location; BLS data show wages vary across industries. Most epidemiologists work regular full-time hours, but outbreaks can bring irregular schedules.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a epidemiologist do?
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
What's a typical day like?
They check illness reports and interview people, then use surveys, records, and lab samples to see who got sick, when, and what they were exposed to. They analyze the clues, write a report, and recommend ways to stop the spread.
How to get this job
In the U.S., start with a bachelor’s degree in biology, public health, statistics, or a related subject, then usually earn a master’s degree, often an MPH in epidemiology. Some earn a doctorate, and graduate programs may include a hands-on practicum.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like figuring things out and helping and teaching.
Did you know?
CDC disease detectives use a worn-out shoe with a hole as a symbol of walking into communities to investigate outbreaks.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Life, Physical, and Social Science jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1041.00
- www.cdc.gov/nerd-academy/pdfs/module-1-career-spotlight-epidemiologist.pdf
- www.cdc.gov/eis/php/about/index.html
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY