Public Health Hiring Trends
The public health job market is growing and diversifying. The occupations aligned with OSPH degree programs are among the fastest-growing in the U.S. economy. This page summarizes key labor market trends from current federal employment projections to help you understand where demand is headed and how your OSPH degree positions you within it.
Growth and projection figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Projections 2024-34 program (released August 28, 2025). Page last updated June 2026.
For salary ranges, projected growth, and the Dallas-Fort Worth job market by program, see Public Health Career Outlook.
The Big Picture
The U.S. economy is projected to add 5.2 million jobs from 2024 to 2034 (+3.1%). Within that, two sectors are growing significantly faster, and OSPH graduates are positioned at their intersection.
| Growth | Sector / Group | Relevance for OSPH Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| +8.4% | Healthcare and Social Assistance | Fastest-growing industry sector in the U.S. Primary employer sector for OSPH graduates. Driven by an aging population and rising chronic conditions. |
| +7.5% | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | AI, data analysis, and research consulting are in demand. Health data scientists, biostatisticians, and health economists land here. |
| +10.1% | Computer and Mathematical Occupations | More than three times the overall average. Data scientists are the fourth fastest-growing occupation in the entire U.S. economy (+34%). |
| +6.6% | Community and Social Service Occupations | Growing faster than average. Covers health educators, community health workers, and social service program managers – core Social and Behavioral Sciences career paths. |
Key Hiring Trends for 2026
- AI and Data Science Are Reshaping Every Field
Data scientists are the fourth fastest-growing occupation in the entire U.S. economy (+34%, 2024-34). Across every public health sector, including government, hospital systems, pharmaceutical, and consulting, demand for workers who can analyze large health datasets, build predictive models, and interpret AI-generated outputs is accelerating. The OSPH Health Data Science concentration and M.S.H.I. program position graduates directly in this demand.
BLS data: Computer and Mathematical occupations group, +10.1% overall (BLS 2024-34).
- Health System Management Is the Fastest-Growing Management Field
Medical and health services managers are projected as the fastest-growing management occupation in the U.S. over the next decade (+23%, 2024-34). The growing complexity of healthcare – driven by technology, policy shifts, and evolving care models – requires more managers to plan, direct, and coordinate care delivery. The OSPH Health Economics, Systems, and Policy concentration prepares graduates for these roles.
BLS data: Medical and Health Services Managers, +23% growth, the fastest-growing management occupation (BLS 2024-34).
- Federal Budget Uncertainty Is Real, but the Public Health Workforce Is Resilient
Federal funding shifts in 2025 created disruption for some CDC, USAID, and ORISE programs. However, public health employment is not concentrated in the federal sector: state and local health departments, hospital systems, insurance, consulting, and private industry collectively employ the vast majority of public health graduates. Students who diversify their job search across sectors are best positioned to navigate uncertainty.
BLS data: Government employs roughly 34% of epidemiologists; the remaining 66% work in non-federal sectors (BLS 2024).
- Clinical Research Is Expanding Rapidly
The U.S. clinical trials market reached $43.45 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $131.55 billion globally by 2031, driven by cell and gene therapy, precision medicine, and pharmaceutical expansion. The OSPH M.S.C.I. program and Ph.D. – Clinical Investigation concentration serve physician-scientists, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists entering or advancing in this field.
BLS data: Medical Scientists (excluding epidemiologists), +9% growth (BLS 2024-34).
- Health Informatics Demand Is Accelerating in Dallas-Fort Worth
Computer and information systems managers, the occupation category covering many M.S.H.I. career paths, are projected to grow +17% from 2024 to 2034. Health informatics is one of the strongest segments of the Dallas-Fort Worth healthcare job market.
BLS data: Computer and Information Systems Managers, +17% growth (BLS 2024-34).
Sources
- BLS Employment Projections 2024-34 (USDL-25-1324, released August 28, 2025) – bls.gov/emp
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (occupation profiles and employment distribution) – bls.gov/ooh
- BLS Monthly Labor Review, "Industry and occupational employment projections overview and highlights, 2024-34" – bls.gov/opub/mlr/2026