Now, more than ever before, the public health field is booming. The global outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has upended our world as we know it. Not only has the virus — labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization — taken over news headlines, it is having a severe impact on the way we are living. COVID-19 can serve as a reminder that healthcare roles, such as doctors, nurses, and public health officials, are critical to communities everywhere.
If you are interested in a rewarding career in which you can make a big impact, consider public health. There are many types of careers and specializations you can pursue within this field, and each is expecting growth as we continue through this decade. Now is the time to get involved.
Below, we break down the current public health job outlook, and the careers that are growing within it.
Growing Careers in Public Health
If you are considering pursuing a degree in public health, you can rest assured that you will enjoy a long-lasting career. Some of the top paying careers in public health include:
Emergency Management Directors – This is a rewarding role that is very critical during a pandemic like COVID-19. Emergency Management Directors plan and direct response to crisis situations, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for emergency circumstances, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Emergency Management Directors make a median salary of $82,570 per year, with employment growing at a 5% rate (+500 jobs added by 2028).
Epidemiologist – Epidemiologists are vital to the field of public health. These public health experts examine and determine the causes of disease and injury in humans. Their career mission is to reduce the risk and frequency of negative health outcomes through research, community education and health policy. Across the U.S., Epidemiologist careers are growing at a 5% rate. They earn a median annual salary of $69,660 nationally. Epidemiologists in Connecticut, however, earn upwards of $86,000 per year.
Public Health Educator – Health educators teach the public about behaviors that promote wellness. Their goal is to come up with better-health solution of individuals and communities. Community health workers serve as a vital link between healthcare professionals are the community. This role pays an average salary of $59,010 annually, with a job outlook of 11% (two-times faster than average!) nationwide.
Public Health Services Manager – Medical and health services managers, also known as healthcare administrators and healthcare executives, coordinate, direct, and plan medical and health services. If you work in this role, you may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of doctors. Medical and health services managers need to frequently adjust to changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and technology. Public Health Services Managers bring in a median annual salary of $98,350, and can expect employment to grow a notable 18% by the year 2028.
There are many other rewarding careers to choose from when you pursue a degree in public health, such as:
- Community Health Worker
- Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Health Educator
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Public Health Program Coordinator
- Research Assistant
As noted above, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of Public Health Services Managers to grow by 18% over the next several years. They also project an 11% growth in the role of Health Educators and Community Health Workers — much faster than other occupations (5%). It’s obvious that a career in this ever-growing field is one that will present plenty of opportunities in your future.
Why the Bright Job Outlook?
As the large generation of Baby Boomers age, so does the elderly population in the U.S. And as the elderly population grows, so will the need for health services. That’s why the demand is increasing — in public health, in health research, in health education, and in care services.
Americans suffer from a variety of ailments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic illnesses — such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes — are the leading cause of death and disability in this country. In addition to this, there is always a risk for natural disaster and new epidemics — like COVID-19 — in the world. Public health professionals are needed to understand these conditions and circumstances. Even more, they are needed to research and respond; to create action plans for maintaining our population’s health and wellbeing.
Overall, public health is a field that is dedicated to the greater good. For many people who enter this field, the work is rewarding, and the challenges are well worth the effort. Millions of people are alive today thanks to the dedicated workers in this industry. There is a passion, a drive, and a clear-cut mission for those who work in public health. The public health job outlook is a bright one, and it’s easy to understand why it is such an attractive career path.
You saw the public health job outlook — now is the time to get involved. If you are ready to jumpstart your career in public health to work towards a better, safer, and healthier world, contact Goodwin. Call 800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.