Healthcare is a fast-growing industry, and career opportunities within it go beyond jobs that deliver hands-on patient care. The need for skilled professionals in public health is on the rise. This vital field focuses on preventing disease and promoting health within communities and extending the lifespan of the people who live in them.
If working in healthcare appeals to you, public health may be a good fit. How much you can expect to make working in public health depends on a variety of factors, including your education. Earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is one way to increase your earning potential.
In this guide, you can learn more about salary expectations for public health jobs and the factors that influence pay rates. You will also have the opportunity to see how master’s programs, such as Eastern Washington University’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) – General program, can support your professional development and potentially increase your earning potential.
What Affects Public Health Salary?
Several factors determine the salary for public health workers. Education is one of the most significant determinants, with advanced degrees often opening the door to higher pay. The responsibilities and duties of the role, as well as the job requirements, also impact salary levels. Jobs that require a master’s degree often offer higher starting salaries and greater overall earning potential because of the advanced skills and knowledge necessary for success.
For many public health jobs, employers establish a potential pay range. When making a salary offer, hiring managers and human resources professionals consider the candidate’s education, experience and skills. In addition, they often take into account the going pay rates within their specific sectors. As a result, public health salaries usually vary depending on whether the employer is a government agency, a nonprofit, a private corporation or a healthcare institution.
The final determining factor for public health pay rates is location. Salaries are typically higher in areas with a higher cost of living. Consequently, a person working in a major city may earn significantly more than someone with the same education and experience in the same role in a rural community.
Entry-Level Public Health Jobs Salary
Many professionals begin their careers in entry-level public health jobs. These roles typically require minimal experience and education. After working in these roles for several years, workers may receive opportunities to advance to higher-paying positions.
As of 2025, the average salary of a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health was $66,000 per year. Reported pay ranges for jobs requiring a Bachelor’s degree included:
- Community health worker: $36,000 to $61,000 per year
- Health educator: $42,000 to $83,000 per year
- Environmental health and safety technician: $46,000 to $84,000 per year
- Public health analyst: $52,000 to $97,000 per year
Master’s in Public Health Salary Expectations
Earning a Master of Public Health degree often leads to higher earnings over time. As of May 2025, the average annual salary for those with an MPH degree was $78,000, 18% higher than the mean annual salary among those with a bachelor’s degree. Graduates of MPH programs may increase their earning potential by moving into new roles that pay more due to their duties and responsibilities, or by qualifying for leadership roles that come with pay increases.
When pursuing an MPH degree, some people choose to specialize in a particular field, and expected salaries vary by area of expertise. As of 2025, the average salaries for standard MPH specializations were:
- Health policy: $67,000 per year
- Epidemiology: $70,000 per year
- Global studies: $71,000 per year
- Biostatistics: $73,000 per year
- Healthcare Administration: $79,000 per year
- Occupational health and safety: $84,000 per year
High-Paying Public Health Careers
Certain public health careers offer high earning potential, and an MPH is often required or preferred for these positions. In 2025, the annual base salary for biostatisticians ranged from $63,000 to $132,000, with an average of $87,471. Epidemiologists also enjoyed high pay, with a yearly salary range of $53,000 to $113,000 and an average of $73,833.
Pay rates are also high for executive and upper management positions in public health. For example, public health directors earned an average of $87,981 per year in 2025, while healthcare executive directors earned an average of $95,787 per year. Jobs in government, public policy and research can be lucrative as well. The 2025 average annual salary for health policy managers was $82,870, and the mean salary for clinical research directors was $128,737.
How to Maximize Your Public Health Earning Potential
As a public health professional, there are things you can do to enhance your earning potential. Because education has such a significant influence on salaries, pursuing your MPH degree is a good starting point. Online programs designed for public health professionals, such as EWU’s online MPH – General program, provide plenty of flexibility, so you can continue to work while earning your degree.
Gaining diverse experience can also be beneficial. Within your role, seek out projects that will give you a chance to learn new things and strengthen key skills. You can also look for volunteer opportunities that allow you to work with diverse populations or in different settings, broadening your experience. Networking with others in your field may also lead to new opportunities.
Lifelong learning can support salary increases over time. Completing continuing education courses can help you stay up to date with the latest advancements in your field and provide opportunities to upskill.
You may also wish to pursue a relevant professional certification, such as the Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) credential from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) or the Certified in Public Health (CPH) designation from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). Requirements for certifications vary, but usually include meeting education and experience requirements and passing an examination.
Take the Next Step in Your Public Health Career
Earning an MPH degree is one way to jump-start your public health career. Graduates of master’s programs gain valuable knowledge and skills that can help them obtain high-paying jobs, such as those in epidemiology and biostatistics. In addition, completing an MPH program can accelerate career paths toward healthcare leadership positions.
Whatever your career goals in public health are, Eastern Washington University’s online Master of Public Health program can help support your progress toward them. The program includes coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, health advocacy, environmental and occupational health, health policy, law and public health leadership led by instructors with years of real-world experience in the field.
Its flexible format makes it possible to pursue your degree while continuing to meet your personal and professional responsibilities. Plus, the option for a pay-by-the-course tuition structure increases the affordability of graduate public health education.
Take the next step in your public health career. Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s online Master of Public Health program or apply today.
Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s online Master of Public Health program.
