12 Public Health Career Paths

Improving public health requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. A strong, efficient, equitable public health system is crucial for a healthier, fairer society. Public health professionals drive change, address health disparities and improve health outcomes.

Public health career paths span government roles influencing policy and standards to education positions training future public health workers. Public health professionals typically work in the government, education and health care sectors, helping shape policy, educate others and ensure comprehensive health services.

Understanding the various public health career paths and knowing which steps to take to acquire public health skills and knowledge are essential for preparing for a career that can impact the lives of communities and individuals. A Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares students to address the nation’s health challenges in areas such as health management, health informatics, and social and behavioral sciences.

Why Is Public Health Important?

Public health professionals aim to create healthier communities by preventing disease, promoting health education and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Public health practice also aims to protect and enhance the health of populations, from local neighborhoods to entire countries.

Unlike health care, which treats individuals after they become sick, public health proactively prevents health problems. Public health efforts improve health outcomes through educational programs, policy recommendations, service administration and research.

Public health initiatives ensure safety and health through various strategies, such as tracking disease outbreaks, vaccinating communities, setting safety standards, developing school nutrition programs, advocating for safety laws, preventing gun violence, addressing climate change impacts and recognizing racism as a public health crisis.

Another reason why public health is important is managing health crises and emergencies. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, public health professionals were instrumental in disseminating accurate information, organizing vaccination drives and implementing safety protocols to curb the spread of the virus. Their efforts not only helped manage the immediate health crisis but also set a precedent for responding to future public health emergencies.

Another critical aspect of public health is its focus on health equity, ensuring that all populations have access to necessary health services. Public health professionals develop and implement programs that target underserved communities, aiming to reduce health inequalities and promote fair and just health outcomes for everyone.

What Are the Requirements to Work in Public Health?

Public health education offers various degree options and specializations. To start on a public health career path, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is typically the first step. Programs typically cover health education, epidemiology, biostatistics and environmental health and often include internships for practical experience.

Further education is key for specialized roles or leadership positions. While an MPH isn’t a public health requirement, this degree can prepare graduates to advance in diverse roles in hospitals, government agencies or public health departments. Doctoral degrees suit those aiming for high-level administrative or policymaking positions.

MPH programs cover subjects such as social behavioral change, health management, policy, research and informatics. Students may also complete projects that apply their knowledge to real-world public health issues.

Networking and professional associations can help enrich an individual’s public health career. For example, joining organizations such as the American Public Health Association (APHA) can provide valuable resources, networking opportunities and professional development.

Key Public Health Skills

Public health careers require a mix of particular skills depending on the role. However, the following public health skills are common across most public health professions:

Analytics and Assessment: Evaluate information, find solutions and turn data into actionable steps.
Change Management: Adapt programs to changing environments and maintain effectiveness.
Communication: Share information clearly, listen actively and advocate for data-driven decisions.
Community Engagement: Promote equitable decision-making and beneficial health outcomes.
Cross-Sectoral Partnerships: Collaborate with diverse experts to address complex health issues.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Use evidence-based approaches to identify health priorities.
Financial Planning and Management: Budget resources and enhance performance in public health programs.
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Ensure diverse and equitable health outcomes for underrepresented populations.
Leadership: Persuade others to improve health, collaborate, mentor staff and promote continuous quality improvement.
Policy Engagement: Collaborate with policymakers to address public health concerns.
Policy Planning and Development: Implement and evaluate policies and programs using research, data analysis and critical thinking.
Resource Management and Finance: Manage workforce recruitment and fiscal resources to achieve goals.
Systems and Strategic Thinking: Understand patterns and relationships to develop effective long-term strategies.

These public health skills are practical and essential for day-to-day public health work. For example, effective communication is crucial when disseminating information about a disease outbreak to the public. It ensures that people understand the risks and the necessary precautions to take, thereby preventing the spread of the disease.

Similarly, community engagement is vital for the success of public health initiatives. Engaging with community members and understanding their needs and concerns help in designing effective health programs that are well received and supported by the community.

4 Health Management Careers in Public Health

Exploring health management careers reveals diverse opportunities for impacting community well-being.

Here are four key roles in this dynamic field.

1. Health Care Administrator

Health care administrators, also known as health service managers, orchestrate all aspects of medical and health services. Their responsibilities include managing facilities, specific departments or medical practices for groups of physicians. They oversee services, staff, facilities and business relationships; improve health care experiences through policy changes; and ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws.

Health care administrators ensure that health care facilities operate smoothly. This includes creating efficient systems that improve patient care and streamline administrative processes. They must also stay updated with health care laws and regulations to ensure that their organizations remain compliant and provide high-quality care.

The median annual salary for health care administrators and health services managers was $110,680 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

2. Industrial Production Managers

The responsibilities of industrial production managers in health care contribute to the safe and effective manufacturing of lifesaving medicines critical for public health. Industrial production managers ensure the quality and efficiency of medical products. They oversee the production of biological and medical products, coordinate activities to produce goods, and focus on quality control by identifying and addressing defects.

These managers are responsible for ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and meet regulatory standards. They ensure that the medical products produced are safe and effective for consumer use. Industrial production managers often work closely with quality assurance teams to identify and resolve any issues in the production process.

The median annual salary for industrial production managers, including those working in this industry, was $143,530 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

3. Health Care Facilities Managers

What health care facilities managers do — focus on meeting expectations for safety, comfort and cleanliness in hospitals, nursing homes, urgent care centers and clinics — is key to minimizing the spread of contagious diseases that can compromise public health. They handle operations, maintenance and project management, ensuring compliance, security and upkeep of buildings, grounds, equipment and supplies. They also oversee renovation projects to improve efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Facilities managers ensure that health care environments are safe and conducive to the delivery of quality patient care. They manage everything from routine maintenance to major construction projects, ensuring that facilities are up to code and meet all health and safety standards.

The median annual salary for health care facilities managers was $104,900 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

4. Human Resources Managers

Human resources (HR) managers plan, coordinate and direct administrative functions, including recruiting, interviewing and hiring staff. In health care, HR teams are responsible for hiring; onboarding; fostering a positive workplace culture; and ensuring compliance with safety, privacy, training and other regulations. They develop hiring practices, collaborate with senior management and foster a collaborative work culture.

HR managers in health care also focus on employee retention and development. They ensure that staff members are well trained and equipped to handle their roles effectively. By fostering a positive work environment, HR managers help reduce staff turnover, a critical factor for maintaining high standards of patient care.

The median annual salary for HR managers was $136,350 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

4 Health Informatics Careers in Public Health

Health informatics is a type of computer and information science focused on advancing life sciences research, health education, public health and patient care. This public health career path integrates computer, cognitive and social sciences to optimize the use of data, information and knowledge for public health programs.

Here are four health informatics careers.

1. Biostatistician

Biostatisticians use math and statistics to create predictive models for research projects. They collect, analyze, interpret and present biologically based scientific data to develop programs promoting healthier living. Data may come from medical records, insurance claims, peer-reviewed journals or surveys. Their work leads to designing and implementing health improvement programs.

Biostatisticians analyze data to identify trends and patterns that inform public health policies and programs. Their work helps in understanding the spread of diseases, the effectiveness of interventions and the factors that contribute to health outcomes.

The median annual salary for biostatisticians was $104,860 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

2. Clinical Data Analyst

Clinical data analysts inform public health strategies by managing and interpreting health care data within various facilities. They ensure that data systems meet organizational and federal standards, they monitor and analyze data trends, and they collaborate with research teams. Their work leads to improvements in patient care and operational efficiency.

Clinical data analysts are essential in ensuring that health care data is accurate, reliable and used effectively. By making sense of health data, they help improve patient care and health care facility operations. Their work involves close collaboration with health care providers to ensure that data-driven decisions are made.

The median annual salary for clinical data analysts was around $74,400 as of February 2024, according to the compensation website Payscale.

3. Health Informatics Specialist

Health informatics specialists ensure that health information meets the needs of health care providers and patients. Their work ensures easy access to critical information for informed public health decision-making.

These specialists improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care delivery by leveraging technology and data to collect and analyze data, identify patterns, and develop informatics solutions for data management and human-technology interactions.

The median annual salary for health informatics specialists was around $76,300 as of March 2024, according to Payscale.

4. Health Information Technologists

Health information technologists focus on electronic health record (EHR) systems, managing their implementation and training staff. They analyze health care data, support health information systems, organize clinical databases, track patient outcomes and ensure data integrity. Their efforts improve public health outcomes and health care delivery efficiency.

Health information technologists are responsible for ensuring that health information systems are secure, reliable and efficient. They manage patient data, ensuring its accuracy and protecting it from unauthorized access.

The median annual salary for health information technologists was $62,990 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

4 Social and Behavioral Science Careers in Public Health

Social and behavioral science careers in public health address factors that influence health behaviors and outcomes. These roles are essential in promoting healthier lifestyles within communities.

Here are four key careers.

1. Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers coordinate programs that support community well-being. They meet with community members and funding providers, direct staff and oversee services. Their responsibilities include collecting and reviewing data, overseeing administrative procedures, evaluating volunteer activities, training staff, advocating for change, and presenting program information to stakeholders.

These managers address social issues such as homelessness, substance abuse and support for veterans. They develop and implement programs that provide essential services to communities, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they need. Their work involves close collaboration with community organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders.

The median annual salary for social and community service managers was $74,200 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

2. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study diseases and find ways to reduce their spread through health policies, public health research and education. Their work informs public health policies and interventions, ensuring that communities are better prepared to handle health crises. They use skills in statistics and critical thinking to analyze data and share results with policymakers.

Specializations in the field include public health preparedness and environmental health. They identify patterns in disease causation and spread to develop mitigation strategies, they work with public health officials, and they may write grant proposals for research funding.

Epidemiologists are essential in managing public health emergencies. They track disease outbreaks, study the factors contributing to disease spread and develop strategies to control and prevent infections.

The median annual salary for epidemiologists was $81,390 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

3. Health Education Specialist

Health education specialists analyze community health needs and design programs to improve well-being. They educate people about healthy behaviors, manage health education programs, use data to identify community needs, plan and evaluate initiatives, connect health systems, serve as a resource for individuals and communities, and oversee fiscal resources. They work in health care facilities, public health departments, schools, nonprofits and businesses.

Health education specialists promote public health by educating communities about healthy behaviors and preventive measures. They develop and implement programs that inform the public about the benefits of nutrition and physical activity and the downsides of unhealthy habits, such as smoking. Their work helps to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases and improve overall community health.

The median annual salary for health education specialists is $69,790 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

4. Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts evaluate and improve health policies using their expertise in behavioral sciences. They analyze policies, identify issues, conduct research and propose practical solutions. Their work involves investigating policies, considering their moral and social impacts and presenting findings to government officials and legislators. They specialize in areas such as health care or education, conduct thorough research, and advise on public programs and services.

Health policy analysts shape public health policies. They conduct research to understand the impact of existing policies and propose changes that can improve health outcomes. Their work involves collaborating with policymakers, stakeholders and community organizations to develop policies that are effective, equitable and sustainable.

The median annual salary for political scientists, including health policy analysts, was $132,350 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

Explore Public Health Career Paths

For those looking to get started on their public health career path, a master’s degree in public health can empower them to launch their careers focused on saving lives.

Augusta University Online’s MPH program enables students to gain hands-on experience and learn from knowledgeable faculty. The program’s focus on real-world applications ensures that graduates are well prepared to address current and emerging public health issues. Through a comprehensive curriculum covering disease prevention, health policy and community health education, graduates gain a competitive edge in pursuing careers in health management, health informatics, and social and behavioral sciences.

Learn how AU Online’s MPH program can prepare you to advance your career and create lasting change by addressing pressing public health issues and helping improve the well-being of communities and people.

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