Master of Public Health Jobs (With Salary)

Are you thinking about a Master’s in Public Health (MPH)? In today’s world, public health professionals are more crucial than ever. They’re the unsung heroes working behind the scenes to improve our communities and keep us safe.

But what kind of career awaits you with that coveted MPH degree? And let’s be real, the salary is a big factor too, right?

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into some of the most in-demand jobs for MPH graduates. We’ll explore the exciting roles available, discuss the average salaries you can expect, and give you a glimpse into the rewarding work that awaits you.

What is Master of Public Health?

A Master of Public Health (MPH) is like getting a specialized degree that teaches you how to keep communities healthy and safe. It usually takes two years of hard work, and each program has its own set of rules for getting in.

If you’re already a proud MPH graduate or are considering this path, let’s explore the exciting career options that await you! We can figure out which roles align with your long-term career goals.

List of Jobs with a Master’s Degree in Public Health

1. Research Assistant

Researchers assistance are detectives trying to solve a big mystery about how to keep people healthy. As a Research Assistant, you’d be a crucial part of the investigation.

• You’d help plan how to gather clues, like conducting surveys or observing people in hospitals.

• You’d carefully examine the evidence they collect, looking for patterns and important details.

• You’d keep meticulous records of everything they find, making sure nothing gets missed.

• Finally, you’d help write up the findings of the investigation so others can learn from what they discovered.

Depending on the specific case, you might also help clean up the lab, interview people who can provide information, and organize all the information they gather in a way that’s easy to understand.

For more information please visit the Top 10 Research Assistant Interview Questions (With Sample Answers and Tips)

2. Public Health Consultant

Public Health consultant are trusted advisor, helping organizations make smart decisions to improve people’s health. As a Public Health Consultant, you’d work with a variety of groups, like government agencies, community centers, hospitals, and even businesses.

• You’d become an expert on the health needs of a specific community, researching local health trends and available resources.

• You’d share your insights with decision-makers, helping them understand the challenges and opportunities for improving health in the community.

• You’d gather information from community members and healthcare experts, conducting interviews and analyzing data to identify the most effective solutions.

• You’d present your findings in clear and concise reports, and even train staff on how to implement new health programs and policies.

With an average salary of $87,937 per year, this role offers both a rewarding career path and a competitive income.

Relate: The top 8 Essential consulting skills valued by employers and Clients 

3. Health Educator

As a Health Educator, you’d work with people of all ages and backgrounds, helping them learn about:

• Healthy habits: like eating well, exercising regularly, and managing stress.

• Preventing diseases: such as understanding the risks of smoking or the importance of vaccinations.

• Managing health conditions: like diabetes or heart disease.

• You might work for a government agency, a non-profit organization, or even a private company.

• You’d research community health needs and develop programs to address them, like smoking cessation classes or nutrition workshops.

• You’d create engaging materials like brochures and presentations to share important health information.

• You’d lead workshops and events to teach people valuable health skills.

• You’d even work to secure funding to support important health education programs.

With an average salary of $48,821 per year, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Related: Health Educators Resume Skills, Definition and Examples

4. Dietitian

As a Dietitian, you’d work with individuals and communities to:

• Understand their dietary needs: You’d assess their current eating habits, identify any nutritional deficiencies or allergies, and understand their health goals (whether it’s weight loss, managing diabetes, or simply improving overall health).

• Create personalized meal plans: You’d design delicious and nutritious eating plans tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

• Educate and empower individuals: You’d teach them about healthy eating habits, how to make informed food choices, and how to cook nutritious meals.

• Promote healthy eating within communities: You might develop and implement nutrition programs for schools, hospitals, or community centers.

You could work in a hospital, a community health clinic, or even for a non-profit organization.

With an average salary of $66,673 per year, this role offers a fulfilling career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives.

Related: How to Become a Dietitian in Canada (Plus Salary and FAQs)

5. Public Health Nurse

As a Public Health Nurse, you’d be a champion for health within your community.

You’d educate people about important health topics, like the importance of vaccinations, how to prevent the spread of diseases, and healthy lifestyle choices.

• You’d conduct research to understand the specific health needs of your community, and then develop programs and campaigns to address those needs.

• You’d provide essential healthcare services, such as administering immunizations and conducting health assessments.

• You’d connect people with the resources they need to stay healthy, such as finding affordable healthcare, accessing healthy food, or finding support groups.

• Many public health nurses pursue dual degrees, combining an MPH with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which provides them with a strong foundation in both public health principles and advanced nursing skills.

With an average salary of $87,937 per year, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of your community.

Related: How to Write a Nursing Resume (with Tips and Example)

6. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologist are detectives who work to protect our health. They use science to understand and fight diseases, making our communities safer and healthier for everyone. They’re scientists who try to figure out:

• Where diseases come from: Like, what causes them to start spreading? 

• How diseases spread: Do they jump from person to person easily?

• Who gets sick: Are some people more likely to catch a disease than others?

• How to stop diseases: How can we keep people safe and healthy?

What do they do all day?

• Sleuthing: They spend a lot of time looking at data and trying to find patterns in diseases.

• Talking to people: They might interview people who are sick, or work with doctors and other experts.

• Giving presentations: They share their findings with the public and government officials to help keep everyone informed.

• Testing new treatments: They help design and run studies to see if new medicines or vaccines work.

• Planning and running programs: They help create and manage programs to improve public health, like vaccination campaigns.

Where do they work?

• Government agencies: Like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US.

• Universities: They might teach at universities and conduct research.

How much money do they make?

On average, epidemiologists in the US earn around $89,219 per year.

Related: How to Become an Epidemiologist in 6 Easy-to-Follow Steps 

7. Environmental Scientists

Environmental scientists are like guardians of the planet. They use science to protect our environment and create a healthier future for everyone. They work hard to:

• Keep our planet healthy: They make sure our air, water, and land are clean and safe.

• Find solutions to environmental problems: Like climate change, pollution, and the loss of natural resources.

• Be a detective for the environment: They investigate how our actions impact the planet and find ways to make things better.

What they do all day

• Studying the environment: They collect data, like testing water quality or monitoring air pollution.

• Analyzing information: They use their knowledge of science to understand what the data means.

• Sharing their findings: They write reports, give presentations, and educate the public about environmental issues.

• Advising governments: They help create policies that protect the environment.

Where do they work?

• Government agencies: Like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US.

• Non-profit organizations: Groups that work to protect the environment.

• Consulting firms: Companies that help businesses and governments address environmental challenges.

How much money do they make?

On average, environmental scientists in the US earn around $63,244 per year.

8. Healthy Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts are like architects for a better healthcare system. They use data and research to improve how we access and receive healthcare. They dig deep into how our healthcare system works and try to make it better.

What do they do all day?

• Analyzing policies: They examine existing healthcare laws and regulations to see if they are working effectively.

• Gathering information: They collect data, like surveys and statistics, to understand how healthcare impacts people’s lives.

• Finding solutions: They identify problems in the healthcare system and come up with ideas to fix them.

• Sharing their findings: They write reports, give presentations, and talk to policymakers to explain their research.

• Evaluating programs: They assess whether healthcare programs are achieving their goals and are cost-effective.

Where do they work?

• Government agencies: Like the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Research organizations: Think tanks and research institutions that study healthcare issues.

• Universities: They might teach and conduct research at universities.

• Hospitals and clinics: They help improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services.

How much money do they make?

On average, health policy analysts in the US earn around $71,179 per year.

9. Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists are the rule experts in the healthcare world. They make sure everything is done legally and safely to protect public health.

What do they do all day?

• Keeping up with the rules: They stay on top of all the laws and regulations that affect healthcare.

• Working with the government: They may help write new laws or propose changes to existing ones.

• Ensuring product safety: If they work for a company, they make sure that new drugs, medical devices, or other healthcare products meet all the government’s requirements before they can be sold.

• Educating others: They teach other employees in their company about the rules and how to comply with them.

• Keeping things organized: They review and update company procedures to make sure they always meet the latest regulations.

Where do they work?

• Healthcare companies: Pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, biotechnology firms.

• Government agencies: Organizations that regulate healthcare, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US.

How much money do they make?

On average, Regulatory Affairs Specialists in the US earn around $72,547 per year72,547 per year.

10. Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates play a crucial role in bringing safe and effective new medicines to patients. They are the driving force behind the research that helps improve people’s health.

What do they do all day?

• Designing and running drug trials: They plan and oversee studies on how new drugs work in people.

• Ensuring ethical and safe practices: They make sure that all clinical trials are conducted safely and ethically, following strict guidelines.

• Finding volunteers: They recruit people to participate in clinical trials.

• Training research teams: They train doctors, nurses, and other staff involved in the clinical trials.

• Gathering and analyzing data: They collect and analyze the results of clinical trials to see how well the drugs work.

Where do they work?

• Pharmaceutical companies: Companies that develop and manufacture drugs.

• Contract research organizations (CROs): Companies that conduct clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies.

How much money do they make?

On average, Clinical Research Associates in the US earn around $66,250 per year$66,250 per year.

11. Occupational Health and Safety Manager

OHS Managers are the guardians of workplace safety. They work tirelessly to create a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

What do they do all day?

• Creating a safe environment: They develop and enforce rules and procedures to prevent accidents and injuries.

• Identifying and addressing hazards: They constantly look for potential dangers in the workplace, like slippery floors or faulty equipment, and find ways to fix them.

• Training employees: They conduct safety training sessions to teach employees how to work safely and prevent accidents.

• Investigating incidents: When accidents do happen, they investigate to understand what went wrong and prevent similar incidents in the future.

• Keeping things up to date: They review and update safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the latest standards.

Where do they work?

All sorts of workplaces: Factories, construction sites, offices, hospitals, and many other types of businesses.

How much money do they make?

On average, OHS Managers in the US earn around $72,358 per year.

12. Biostatistician

Biostatisticians are like data detectives who use numbers and statistics to improve human health. They play a vital role in understanding and combating diseases.

What do they do all day?

• Analyzing health data: They examine large amounts of data related to diseases, health trends, and the impact of things like pollution on human health.

• Helping with medical research: They work with scientists to design and carry out medical studies, like clinical trials for new drugs.

• Identifying health risks: They use data to identify potential health risks and how to prevent them.

• Sharing their findings: They present their research findings to scientists, doctors, and public health officials.

Where do they work?

• Healthcare institutions: Hospitals, research centers, and public health agencies.

• Universities: They often teach and conduct research at universities.

• Pharmaceutical companies: They help analyze data from drug trials.

How much money do they make?

On average, Biostatisticians in the US earn around $130,293 per year.

Related: Rewarding Jobs in life Science For Those who love Research 

13. Environmental Health Officer

Environmental Health Officers are like public health superheroes, working to ensure our communities are safe and healthy places to live, work, and play.

What do they do all day?

• Inspecting places: They visit places like restaurants, factories, and construction sites to make sure they meet health and safety standards.

• Investigating complaints: They look into complaints about potential health hazards, like pollution or unsafe working conditions.

• Collecting evidence: They might collect samples of air, water, or food to test for harmful substances.

• Developing safety plans: They help businesses and organizations create and implement programs to keep people safe and healthy.

• Educating the public: They educate people about how to protect their health and the environment.

Where do they work?

• Government agencies: Like local health departments and environmental protection agencies.

• Hospitals: They may work in hospital infection control departments.

• Private companies: They might work for companies that provide environmental health and safety consulting services.

How much money do they make?

On average, Environmental Health Officers in the US earn around $79,287 per year$79,287 per year.

Related: How to Acquire a Public Health Inspector Certification  

Conclusion

The field of public health is experiencing outstanding growth, and with it, a surge in demand for qualified professionals. A Master’s in Public Health (MPH) can open doors to a wide range of fulfilling careers that make a real difference in the world.