Epidemiologist

Your Fit

Income

$83K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

26.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Epidemiologist?

An Epidemiologist is a public health professional who investigates patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They seek to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community education, and health policy.

Sample job titles:

Epidemiologist, Infection Control Practitioner (ICP), Nurse Epidemiologist, Research Epidemiologist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Epidemiologist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Epidemiologist earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Epidemiologist.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$52K per year	$65K per year	$83K per year	$104K per year	$128K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $18K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Epidemiologist do?

Work environment

Epidemiologists typically work in offices and laboratories at health departments, universities, hospitals, and other research institutions. Some may conduct fieldwork to collect data or educate communities, which can involve travel to disease outbreak areas.

Quick task list

Designs and conducts scientific studies on health and disease.
Collects and analyzes data to find the causes of diseases or health outcomes.
Develops public health programs and strategies to prevent and control diseases.
Reports findings to health practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
Collaborates with healthcare providers and other stakeholders to manage public health issues.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Infectious Disease Epidemiology: Studying diseases that are transmittable from person to person.
Chronic Disease Epidemiology: Focusing on long-term diseases such as cancer or heart disease.
Environmental Epidemiology: Examining how environmental factors affect health.
Biostatistics: Specializing in the statistical methods used in public health research.
Clinical Epidemiology: Applying epidemiological methods to clinical research and patient care.

Description

Epidemiologists play a crucial role in public health by studying the factors that influence health and disease among populations. Their work involves designing and conducting research studies, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting the results to understand health patterns. This information is vital in developing methods to control or prevent health problems, shaping public health policies, and responding to health emergencies like epidemics.

Their job requires a strong foundation in research methodology, statistics, and a thorough understanding of health sciences. Epidemiologists need to be adept at using various data analysis tools and must possess excellent critical thinking skills. They often collaborate with other health professionals and policymakers to implement effective public health strategies.

The field of epidemiology offers diverse opportunities and challenges. It requires a commitment to lifelong learning, as epidemiologists must stay up-to-date with the latest public health research and emerging health threats. Their work is integral to improving overall community health and can have a significant impact on public health policy and practice.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a significant impact on public health and safety.
The intellectual challenge of investigating and solving complex health issues.
Opportunities to influence public health policies and programs.

You might make a good Epidemiologist if you are...

Passionate about improving public health and welfare.
Skilled in statistical analysis and critical thinking.
Interested in medical sciences and public health research.
Detail-oriented, with strong analytical and communication skills.
Able to work collaboratively in diverse teams and settings.

Pros:

Contributing to the betterment of public health and safety.
Engaging in varied and intellectually stimulating work.
Opportunities for advancement and specialization in numerous public health areas.

Cons:

Potentially high-stress situations, especially during public health emergencies.
The need for continual learning and adapting to new health challenges.
Fieldwork can sometimes be in challenging or high-risk environments.

How to become an Epidemiologist

Typical education

A master's degree in public health (MPH) with an emphasis on epidemiology or a related field is typically required, which takes about 6 years of post-secondary education (including a bachelor's degree). Some roles, especially in research or academia, may require a Ph.D. or medical degree.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Chemistry to understand the basics of diseases and human health.
Mathematics, particularly statistics, for data analysis.
Social Studies or Health Education to gain a broader understanding of public health issues.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at health clinics, hospitals, or community health organizations.
Participating in science clubs or fairs with a focus on health-related projects.
Engaging in debates or discussions on public health and medical topics.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, public health, or environmental science.
Gain practical experience through internships or volunteering in public health, healthcare settings, or research laboratories.
Obtain a master's degree in public health (MPH) with a focus on epidemiology.
Consider pursuing a Ph.D. or medical degree for advanced research roles.

More resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Provides comprehensive resources and data on public health issues.
World Health Organization (WHO) - Offers global health information and guidelines on various public health topics.
American Public Health Association (APHA) - A hub for public health professionals with resources and networking opportunities.
Epidemiology Monitor - A newsletter offering news and information for epidemiologists.
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) - Provides training, resources, and support for applied epidemiologists in states and territories.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.