What Can You Do with a Public Health Degree?

Many people are not aware of the numerous job opportunities available in the public health field. With a public health major, you can work in various industries within the government sector, or for private companies, nonprofit organizations, or educational and industrial organizations. This article serves as a guide to the public health field, from the best universities to the best jobs for public health majors, and more.

What Is a Public Health Major?

A public health undergraduate degree prepares students to become public health professionals in charge of evaluating and regulating aspects of public health. Public health workers mainly focus on improving public healthcare, reducing disease transmission, designing and implementing public health programs. They facilitate healthy behaviors of individuals, families, and communities.

How to Become a Public Health Professional: Public Health Education Options 

There are various education paths to start a career as a public health professional. You have the option of getting an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. There are also bootcamps available for professionals to increase their knowledge in their career field.

Public Health Bootcamp

Public health bootcamps are short-term bootcamps for public healthcare professionals in different fields. Public health organizations facilitate these bootcamps, with most of them typically only taking a week to complete. These bootcamps provide additional education regarding public health skills, policies, professional organizations, and job opportunities.

Best Public Health Bootcamps

• Public Health Bootcamp- AIDs Foundation of Chicago
• Skills for Health and Research Professionals (SHARP) Training Program
• Public Health Finance Bootcamp- Public Health Finance and Management

Public Health Associate Degree 

Public health associate degrees prepare individuals for an entry-level job in the health field, and can work as a step towards getting an undergraduate public health degree. Graduates with associate degrees can work as public health outreach workers, public health educators, patient service coordinators, medical office coordinators, or health recruiters. 

Best Associate Degree Programs in Public Health

• Associate of Science Degree in Public Health-Brookdale Community College
• Associate Degree in Health Science-University of the People
• Behavioral Health, A.A.S-Pueblo Community College
• AS in Public Health-Queensborough Community College
• Online Associate Degree in Public Health-University of the Cumberlands

Public Health Bachelor’s Degree

Most new public health professionals begin their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree. Students learn to research public health issues, research and support healthcare policies, and participate in educational activities that promote healthy living during their program.

Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Public Health

• Bachelor of Science in Public Health-University at Albany
• Bachelor in Public Health with a Major in Health Services Management-Universidad Ana G Mendez University
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health-Savannah University
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health-Langston University
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Health-University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy

Public Health Master’s Degree 

A master’s degree in public health usually takes a year or two to complete depending on your field of study and degree requirements. A master’s degree in public health will typically include research hours to study public health policies, projects, and proposals affecting global health.

Best Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health

• Master of Public Health-Atlantic International University
• Online Master of Public Health in Executive Health Management-Morgan State University
• Master of Public Health-Ferris State University
• Master of Arts in Community Health-Metropolitan College of New York
• Master of Science in Public Health-Campbell University

Public Health Career Overview: Is a Public Health Career Worth It?

Public Health Job Outlook

The job outlook of public health professionals is listed under health education specialists and community health workers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment growth rate for these professionals will be 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is a much faster average rate compared to other similar occupations.

Public Health Salaries

According to BLS, the average annual salary for community health workers is $42,000, with the highest 10 percent earnings being more than $70,790 and the lowest 10 percent earning less than $28,010. The salaries and job outlook may differ based on your specific occupation, and these figures only reflect the general profession.

Some possible careers for public health majors have both high employment rates and earning potential. For example, according to BLS, epidemiologists have a job outlook of 30 percent and a median salary of $74,560, and occupational health and safety specialists have a job outlook of seven percent and a median salary of $72,530.

Best Jobs for Public Health Majors: What Can You Do with a Public Health Degree?

There are many different jobs you can land with a public health major. The jobs available to you will depend on your degree. This section will cover the jobs available for the various public health degrees.

Best Jobs for Public Health Associate Degree Majors

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

• Average Salary: $76,340
• Job Outlook: Seven percent

Occupational health and safety specialists are in charge of examining workplace environments for any health concerns that could endanger employees’ safety or comfort. This job is excellent for associate degree graduates as it requires on-the-job training or an associate degree for entry-level positions.

Environmental Science and Protection Technician

• Average Salary: $46,850
• Job Outlook: 11 percent

These professionals work under environmental scientists to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution by performing laboratory and field tests. They sometimes work with professionals from other fields to solve problems that affect public and environmental health. This role typically requires an associate degree or two years of postsecondary education.

Community Health Worker

• Average Salary: $42,000
• Job Outlook: 17 percent

Community health workers work on the frontline and have an intimate understanding of their local community’s needs. They serve as a link between social services and the entire community to encourage easy access to health services and improve the quality of delivery. Community health workers typically require on-the-job-training.

Social and Human Service Assistant

• Average Salary: $35,960
• Job Outlook: 17 percent 

Social service assistants help professionals in behavioral health, rehabilitation, and social work fields to connect their clients with community services and resources by providing them with the information and assistance they need to achieve a high quality of life. The requirements for this job may vary, but typically include a high school diploma, an associate degree, or on-the-job training.

Prevention Specialist

• Average Salary: $34,063
• Job Outlook: Seven percent*

Prevention specialists provide education, resources, and support to underserved populations and individuals at risk for poor health and wellness outcomes to address health disparities. They work in a wide variety of settings including schools, public health agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and local and federal government. 

*Prevention specialists’ job outlook listed under occupational and safety specialists.

Best Jobs for Public Health Bachelor’s Degree Majors

Health Services Manager

• Average Salary: $104,280
• Job Outlook: 32 percent

These health specialists are in charge of planning, directing, coordinating, and supervising healthcare delivery in departments or healthcare facilities. Their titles vary depending on the industry they work in. The minimum educational requirement for health services managers is a bachelor’s degree.

Public Health Administrator

• Average Salary: $74,188
• Job Outlook: 32 percent*

Public health administrators use problem-solving skills to organize awareness campaigns and wellness programs to improve the health of the general public, like free testing to prevent the spread of disease. The campaigns aim to reduce the risks of chronic and infectious diseases and improve the general public’s health.

Environmental Scientist

• Average Salary: $73,230
• Job Outlook: Eight percent

Environmental scientists work to solve issues with the environment by conducting tests and analyzing the results. They study the impact of human activity on the environment and find ways to reduce the negative consequences. Environmental science is an excellent field for bachelor’s degree graduates as it has high pay and opportunities for career growth.

Epidemiologist

• Average Salary: $74,560
• Job Outlook: 30 percent

Epidemiologists look for trends and patterns in human disease and injury to better understand the population and improve population health. Their goal is to reduce the risks of negative health outcomes by conducting research, educating the public, and developing public health policies. As a result, epidemiologists are highly sought after in the industry and earn a good living.

Quality Improvement Coordinator

• Average Salary: $44,912
• Job Outlook: 32 percent*

These professionals work in medical facilities are responsible for overseeing a hospital’s overall quality improvement program from start to finish. They also investigate accident reports, patient complaints, patient care issues, and other issues requested by a supervisor. The minimum requirement for this profession is a bachelor’s degree.

*Quality improvement coordinator and public health administrator job outlooks listed under medical and health services managers.

Best Jobs for Public Health Master’s Degree Majors

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

• Average Salary: $85,458
• Job Outlook: Six percent*

An emergency preparedness coordinator is in charge of developing and implementing specific plans and procedures for dealing with public health threats such as natural disasters. During and after an emergency, they take on leadership positions and are frequently in charge of assisting or leading the response teams.

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Healthcare Project Manager

• Average Salary: $102,628
• Job Outlook: 32 percent**

Health project managers oversee the regular coordination and operation of projects. They are responsible for creating detailed project plans and finding solutions to potential problems. They must ensure that the project is successful from start to finish.

Health and Safety Engineer

• Average Salary:$94,240
• Job Outlook: Six percent

Health and safety engineers are experts in health policy and create procedures and systems to keep both people and property safe. They conduct investigations to determine the cause of industrial accidents, and how employers could prevent them in the future. They work to ensure that all employees have good working conditions.

Informatics Specialist

• Average Salary: $92,275
• Job Outlook: Nine percent

Informatics specialists are medical records technicians who record and store patient treatment, medical history, and insurance data. They must be conversant with electronic record-keeping and computer technologies and are also in charge of updating and verifying information.

Emergency Management Director

• Average Salary: $76,250
• Job Outlook: Six percent

An emergency management director is in charge of designing emergency response plans and procedures to respond to emergencies like natural disasters. They collaborate with government agencies, public safety officials, and public health officials to help lead the response team during an emergency.

*Emergency preparedness coordinator job outlook listed under emergency management directors.

**Healthcare project manager job outlook listed under medical and health services managers.

Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Public Health

1. Get Educated. To start a career in public health, you need to get the right level of education. You may apply to a community college or a four-year college to study public health and related courses.
2. Build a Professional Network. A solid professional network is essential to stay aware of open jobs in the industry. Joining a community like the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health is an excellent place to start as they provide great networking opportunities.
3. Apply for Entry-Level Roles. Applying for entry-level jobs is a reliable way to get the relevant job experience, practical skills, and interpersonal skills needed for career growth and advancement.

Public health is a good career choice because most jobs in the field have a high job growth rate and salary. There are also numerous career opportunities, the majority of which are global and allow you to make a significant impact. Public health jobs in a variety of fields are available to associate and bachelor’s degree holders, and you can enhance your career with an advanced degree, like a graduate degree.