13 High-Paying Public Health Jobs That Pay Well - Skills To Get Ahead In Your Career

Public health plays an important role in protecting the health of the entire population by improving the health of individuals and their communities. Public health workers do this by creating community programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices, researching new ways to prevent injury and disease and finding ways to limit health disparities in their local area.

These professionals also work to detect, prevent and respond to infectious diseases to keep communities and their residents safe. In this article, we’ll look at some well-paying public health jobs—with minimum salaries of $60k per year—and what you need to enter this field.

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Requirements for public health jobs will depend on the specific position you are applying for. Here are the most common degrees you might acquire if you’re pursuing a public health degree:

The bachelor’s degree in public health is an undergraduate option but is not required as a specific foundational degree to work in public health. Many public health positions will also recognize bachelor degrees in engineering, nursing, informatics and other health-related fields. It’s important to note that some public health jobs may also require advanced training or certification programs. While many

A master of public health is not required for all public health positions, however, it is recommended to be competitive when seeking positions in both the private and public sectors. Candidates who want to take on leadership roles in public health organizations may want to pursue a graduate education early on. There are several concentrations for an MPH to include community health, environmental health, epidemiology and global health.

A doctor of public health is the top-level degree for those interested in a public health career and is recommended for those who want to teach at the college level or in an advanced research position.

To help you determine which public health jobs might be right for you, consider these 15 well-paying jobs across a wide range of experience levels.

Behavioral health managers work with mental health providers and the community to ensure that individuals have access to the services they need. Most of these professionals spend their time working with case managers to evaluate the care needs of those in the community and find ways to improve public health. They are also responsible for coordinating mental and physical health services for individual patients as well as developing outreach events.

A public health professor is responsible for teaching public health courses to students at a university or college, which includes lecturing, creating course materials, developing course assignments and grading papers. These professionals can have a significant impact on the public health field because they teach and mentor future public health professionals.

The director of environmental services typically works in a health care setting such as a hospital, clinic or medical center. They are responsible for maintaining the environment with a focus on health and safety. These professionals oversee housekeeping and maintenance staff to ensure that all the proper steps have been taken to keep the healthcare facility a clean and safe working environment.

Public health nurses are dedicated to improving their community’s health and access to health care. These professionals often work in health clinics, hospitals, health departments, non-profit groups and other community health care facilities supporting community health through preventative health care services and education. Many public health nurses are not tied to one location but rather travel throughout the community providing preventative care and education about disease prevention and management.

An environmental scientist uses their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect both environmental and human health. Some of their tasks include conducting rough data collection, planning development and sharing information with the government, businesses and the public. These professionals often take part in land reclamation after pollution or developing regulations to restrict environmental pollution.

Health services administrators work in hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities that provide public health services. They are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of these facilities, including staffing and budgeting. These professionals also need to be experts in public health policy and have an in-depth understanding of medical records systems.

The executive director of a non-profit organization focused on public health is responsible for overseeing the managerial aspects of the organization. They make vital decisions regarding the organization’s operations and budget. Professionals in this role must be passionate about and involved in the health of the community in which they work.

An industrial hygienist is an engineer or scientist who is responsible for reducing health risks and dangers in the workplace. They must conduct research about potential hazards and develop strategies to reduce the associated risks. The industrial hygienist may also be tasked with educating workplaces on these risks and hazards as well as training employees to effectively reduce and respond to workplace hazards.

An epidemiologist is responsible for identifying public health issues and understanding the mechanisms behind illnesses. They are often tasked with performing field research to discover illnesses within the community. Once these professionals have identified the cause of a public health problem, they become an important part of preventing disease transmission. Epidemiologists often work in medical facilities like hospitals and laboratories.

Health and safety engineers are responsible for creating safer work environments and consumer products. They might be tasked with making sure that machinery, infrastructure and equipment are designed in a way that reduces the risk of injury and illness on the job site. These professionals work primarily in scientific and technical services but can also be employed by the government or construction companies.

Environmental health and safety officers work with and for organizations to promote healthy working practices for all employees. These professionals observe organizations to ensure that they comply with environmental legislation regarding workplace safety. They work to ensure that organizations take the right steps to protect the environment from the organization’s actions while also making sure that procedures and policies are in place to protect employees from the hazards of the work environment.

A biostatistician uses math and statistics to research public health, medicine and the environment. These professionals conduct research and compile studies as they rely on data to make recommendations regarding implementing new policies that can positively impact public health. Most biostatisticians work for the federal or local government, but others may find employment with a private research group or pharmaceutical company.

The medical director is responsible for the daily operations of a hospital or medical center. When it comes to public health, medical directors may be expected to use preventative measures to reduce the transmission of illness within their building. They may also be tasked with improving air quality in an office, factory or other settings to promote the health and wellness of all employees.