Career Fields by Program
Exploring Career Fields in Public Health
Public health careers span government agencies, health systems, research institutions, consulting firms, nonprofits, and private industry. The O'Donnell School of Public Health's four departments each lead to distinct career pathways, and your degree program shapes the roles you'll be best positioned for.
Use the dropdowns below to explore career fields by department. Each section includes sample job titles and key employers. To discuss your specific path, schedule a career coaching appointment through 12Twenty.
All wage and growth figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 unless noted. Salary ranges reflect entry (10th percentile), median (50th percentile), and top 10% (90th percentile).
- Epidemiology (M.P.H. and Ph.D.)
Degrees: M.P.H. – Applied Epidemiology; Ph.D. – Applied Epidemiology.
Sample Job Titles Key Employers and Sectors BLS Data Highlight Epidemiologist State and local health departments (34% of epidemiologist jobs, BLS) $56,950 entry; $83,980 median; $134,860 top 10%; +16% growth 2024-34 (~800 openings/year); updated median May 2025: $97,890. BLS OOH: Epidemiologists. Disease Surveillance Analyst CDC and ORISE fellowships Classified under Epidemiologists (SOC 19-1041); same BLS range $56,950-$134,860, median $83,980. BLS OOH: Epidemiologists. Outbreak Investigator Academic medical centers (UT Southwestern, UT Health) Classified under Epidemiologists (SOC 19-1041); field-focused role, same BLS wage range. BLS OOH: Epidemiologists. Public Health Analyst Parkland Health, Baylor Scott & White, Children's Health Classified under Management Analysts (SOC 13-1111); $68,960 entry; $99,410 median; $163,760 top 10%; +10% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Management Analysts. Biostatistician NIH and federal agencies $60,390 entry; $103,300 median; $170,700 top 10%; +8% growth 2024-34 (~2,200 openings/year). BLS OOH: Mathematicians and Statisticians. Research Scientist Pharmaceutical and biotech companies Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%; +9% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. Field Epidemiologist Consulting firms (Analysis Group, Mathematica, IQVIA) Classified under Epidemiologists (SOC 19-1041); same BLS range $56,950-$134,860. BLS OOH: Epidemiologists. - Health Data Science and Biostatistics (M.P.H. and Ph.D.)
Degrees: M.P.H. – Health Data Science; Ph.D. – Health Data Sciences.
Sample Job Titles Key Employers and Sectors BLS Data Highlight Health Data Scientist State and local health departments $63,650 entry; $112,590 median; $194,410 top 10%; +34% growth 2024-34 (~23,400 openings/year); fourth fastest-growing occupation in the U.S. BLS OOH: Data Scientists. Biostatistician Academic research centers and universities $60,390 entry; $103,300 median; $170,700 top 10%; +8% growth 2024-34 (~2,200 openings/year). BLS OOH: Mathematicians and Statisticians. Public Health Data Analyst UT Southwestern, Parkland Health, Baylor Scott & White Classified under Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051); $63,650 entry; $112,590 median; +34% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Data Scientists. Research Data Analyst NIH, CDC, CMS, federal agencies Classified under Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051); $63,650 entry; $112,590 median. BLS OOH: Data Scientists. Machine Learning Engineer (Health) Pharmaceutical and biotech (Tempus AI, Verily, BeiGene) Classified under Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051); $63,650 entry; $112,590 median; $194,410 top 10%; +34% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Data Scientists. Bioinformatics Analyst Health tech and AI companies Classified under Medical Scientists or Data Scientists; median range $100,590-$112,590 depending on role focus. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists; Data Scientists. Population Health Analyst Consulting and analytics firms Classified under Data Scientists or Management Analysts; $63,650-$99,410 entry; $99,410-$112,590 median. BLS OOH: Data Scientists; Management Analysts. - Health Economics, Systems, and Policy (M.P.H. and Ph.D.)
Degrees: M.P.H. – Health Economics, Systems, and Policy; Ph.D. – Health Economics, Systems, and Policy.
Sample Job Titles Key Employers and Sectors BLS Data Highlight Health Policy Analyst CMS, HHS, state health departments Classified under Management Analysts (SOC 13-1111); $68,960 entry; $99,410 median; $163,760 top 10%; +10% growth 2024-34 (~115,900 openings/year). BLS OOH: Management Analysts. Health Economist Hospital systems and health networks Classified under Economists (SOC 19-3011); $66,110 entry; $115,730 median; $208,000 top 10%; +8% growth 2024-34 (~1,800 openings/year). BLS OOH: Economists. Health Services Researcher Health insurance companies and payers Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%; +9% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. Medical and Health Services Manager Think tanks and policy institutes $69,680 entry; $117,960 median; $216,750+ top 10%; +23% growth 2024-34 (~62,100 openings/year); fastest-growing management occupation in the U.S. BLS OOH: Medical and Health Services Managers. Program Evaluator Consulting firms (Deloitte, Huron, McKinsey) Classified under Management Analysts (SOC 13-1111); $68,960 entry; $99,410 median; $163,760 top 10%; +10% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Management Analysts. Quality Improvement Manager Pharmaceutical and medical device companies Classified under Medical and Health Services Managers; $69,680 entry; $117,960 median; +23% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Medical and Health Services Managers. Outcomes Research Analyst Nonprofit and advocacy organizations Classified under Management Analysts or Medical Scientists; $68,960-$99,410 entry; $99,410-$100,590 median. BLS OOH: Management Analysts; Medical Scientists. - Social and Behavioral Sciences (M.P.H. and Ph.D.)
Degrees: M.P.H. – Social and Behavioral Sciences; Ph.D. – Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Sample Job Titles Key Employers and Sectors BLS Data Highlight Health Educator / Health Promoter Local and state health departments $42,210 entry; $63,000 median; $112,900 top 10%; +4% growth 2024-34 (~7,900 openings/year). BLS OOH: Health Education Specialists. Community Health Program Director Nonprofit and community organizations Classified under Social and Community Service Managers; $50,020 entry; $78,240 median; $129,820 top 10%; +6% growth 2024-34 (~18,600 openings/year). BLS OOH: Social and Community Service Managers. Behavioral Health Program Manager Hospital community benefit programs Classified under Social and Community Service Managers; $50,020 entry; $78,240 median; $129,820 top 10%; +6% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Social and Community Service Managers. Program Evaluator Academic research centers Classified under Management Analysts (SOC 13-1111); $68,960 entry; $99,410 median; $163,760 top 10%; +10% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Management Analysts. Health Disparities Researcher CDC and federal agencies Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%; +9% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. Community-Based Research Coordinator Foundations and philanthropies Classified under Community Health Workers (SOC 21-1094); $37,930 entry; $51,030 median; $78,560 top 10%; +11% growth 2024-34 (~7,800 openings/year). BLS OOH: Community Health Workers. Health Communications Specialist International health organizations Classified under Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031); $46,890 entry; $73,450 median; $133,400 top 10%; +6% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Public Relations Specialists. - Clinical Investigation (M.S.C.I. and Ph.D.)
Degrees: M.S.C.I.; Ph.D. – Clinical Investigation (requires M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., or Pharm.D.).
Sample Job Titles Key Employers and Sectors BLS Data Highlight Principal Investigator Academic medical centers (UT Southwestern, VA North Texas) Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%; +9% growth 2024-34 (~9,600 openings/year). BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. Clinical Research Associate (CRA) NIH and ORISE fellowships Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%; +9% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. Clinical Trial Manager / Director Large pharma (Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, GSK) Classified under Medical and Health Services Managers; $69,680 entry; $117,960 median; $216,750+ top 10%; +23% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Medical and Health Services Managers. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Contract research organizations (IQVIA, Labcorp/Covance, Medpace, PPD) Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. Medical Monitor Biotech and cell/gene therapy companies Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. Regulatory Affairs Specialist FDA and regulatory agencies Classified under Medical Scientists or Management Analysts; $61,860-$68,960 entry; $99,410-$100,590 median. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists; Management Analysts. Pharmacovigilance Specialist Consulting (L.E.K., McKinsey Health) Classified under Medical Scientists (SOC 19-1040); $61,860 entry; $100,590 median; $168,210 top 10%. BLS OOH: Medical Scientists. - Health Informatics (M.S.H.I.)
Degrees: M.S.H.I. – all tracks.
Sample Job Titles Key Employers and Sectors BLS Data Highlight Clinical Informatics Analyst UT Southwestern Medical Center Classified under Computer Systems Analysts; $103,790 median; +9% growth 2024-34. Or Health Information Technologists: $67,310 median; +15% growth. BLS OOH: Computer Systems Analysts. EHR Analyst / Epic Analyst Parkland Health Classified under Health Information Technologists (SOC 29-9021); $67,310 median; +15% growth 2024-34 (~3,200 openings/year). BLS OOH: Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars. Health Data Analyst Baylor Scott & White Health Classified under Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051); $63,650 entry; $112,590 median; $194,410 top 10%; +34% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Data Scientists. Clinical Systems Analyst Texas Health Resources (Texas Health Presbyterian) Classified under Computer Systems Analysts (SOC 15-1211); $103,790 median; +9% growth 2024-34 (~34,200 openings/year). BLS OOH: Computer Systems Analysts. Quality Improvement Analyst Medical City Healthcare / HCA North Texas (20+ DFW hospitals) Classified under Medical and Health Services Managers; $69,680 entry; $117,960 median; +23% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Medical and Health Services Managers. Informatics Director / CMIO Children's Health (Dallas and Plano) Classified under Computer and Information Systems Managers; $171,200 median; +15% growth 2024-34 (~101,600 new jobs by 2034). BLS OOH: Computer and Information Systems Managers. Health IT Project Manager VA North Texas Health Care System Classified under Computer and Information Systems Managers; $171,200 median; +15% growth 2024-34. BLS OOH: Computer and Information Systems Managers. Additional DFW employers: Methodist Health System and Cook Children's (Fort Worth).
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