Ƶ

What Can You DoWitha Public Health Degree?

December 31, 2025

Kelley Wells

Ed.D. in Public Health Education

image of graduation cap

A public health degree is a versatile credential that opens doors to a wide array of careers dedicated to improving community and population health. This field is dynamic, with the  era calling for professionals who can act as what they call “chief health strategists” and lead cross-sector collaborations that address social determinants of health. This evolution has expanded job opportunities for graduates across government, nonprofits, healthcare and private industries, with each offering distinct roles, strong growth potential and competitive salary ranges. 

For those exploring this impactful field, understanding the diverse careers in public health, required skills and earning potential is the first step toward a meaningful career. 

WhatIs Public Health?

At its core, the field of public health focuses on protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. Achieving this includes promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease prevention and treatment, and implementing effective health policies. Note: Public health and clinical health overlap in some capacity, but they’re not the same. 

Why Public Health Matters?

The work of public health professionals is largely preventative and impacts millions daily. Key achievements include controlling infectious disease outbreaks, promoting wellness initiatives and addressing systemic health disparities. These efforts are fundamental to a functioning society, saving lives and reducing long-term health care costs. 

graphic of foundations of public health

Key Areas of Public Health

The discipline is broad,encompassingseveral critical specializations:

  • Epidemiology:The study of disease patterns and causes within populations
  • ԱDzԳԳٲ𲹱ٳ:Focused onidentifyingand mitigating external factors that affect human health
  • 𲹱ٳDZԻԲ𳾱Գ:The art of shaping health policies and managinghealthcare administrationsystems
  • ұDz𲹱ٳ:Addressinghealth issuesthat transcend national borders, often in partnership with bodies like theWorld Health Organization (WHO)

Understanding a Public Health Degree

A degree in this field provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills to tackle complex health issues. 

What a Public Health Degree Covers

Curricula are comprehensivewith a blend ofscience,policyand social theory. Core courses often include biostatistics, epidemiology,healthcommunicationand environmental health. Most programs emphasize applied learning through internships, capstoneprojectsand community-based research.

Levels of Public Health Degrees

Educational pathways aretieredto suit different career goals.

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.):Provides entry into the field for roles likecommunity health workeror health educator
  • ٴdzٴǰ𲵰(Ph.D., DrPH, Ed.D.):For those pursuing high-level research,academiaor executive leadership
  • Micro-credentials:For skill-specific advancement

Core Skills You Gain

Graduatesemergewith a powerful and marketable skill set.

  • Բپ쾱:Proficiencyin data analysis,statisticsand research methods to investigatehealth issues
  • dzܲԾپDzԻDZǰپDz:The ability to work with diverse communities, present findings and engage in interdisciplinary teamwork
  • ʰDzԲԾԲԻԲ𳾱Գ:Expertisein designing,implementingand evaluatinghealth promotionanddisease preventioninitiatives
  • پٳ󾱲԰쾱Բ:The capacity for problem-solving and addressing complex population health challenges

Diverse Career Paths in Public Health

The breadth of the field translates into a wide spectrum of rewarding careers in public health

  • 辱𳾾DZDzԻDzٲپپ:These data-driven professionals investigate disease patterns and use statistics to inform public health decisions. They are crucial to agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
    • Dzپٱ:Epidemiologist, biostatistician, clinical research coordinator
    • Keyresponsibilities:Conducting studies,analyzinghealth data and reporting findings to guide policy
  • Healtheducationandpromotion:These professionals are on the front lines of health promotion to create programsandimprove outcomes directly within communities.
    • Dzپٱ:Health educator, community health worker,wellness coordinator
    • Keyresponsibilities:Developing educational materials, runningworkshopsand advocating for healthy behaviors
  • ԱDzԳԳٲ𲹱ٳ:This path involvesidentifyingand mitigating environmental factors—from air quality to workplace safety—that affect human health.
    • Dzپٱ:Environmental health specialist, occupational health and safety officer,food safety inspector
    • Keyresponsibilities:Conducting inspections, enforcingregulationsand assessing environmental risks
  • 𲹱ٳDZԻԲ𳾱Գ:This sectoroperatesat the systems level, which shapes policies and manages the organizations that deliver care.
    • Dzپٱ:Public health administrator,health policy analyst,healthcare manager (a key role inhealthcare administration)
    • Keyresponsibilities:Analyzing policy impacts, advocating forchangeand overseeing healthcare operations
  • ұDz𲹱ٳ:For those looking to addresshealth issuesinternationally, this path focuses on challenges that transcend borders, often through work withnon-governmentalorganizations (NGOs) or theWHO.
    • Dzپٱ:Global health specialist, humanitarian aid worker,public health consultant
    • Keyresponsibilities:Working on international development projects, diseasesurveillanceand disaster response
graphic of public health career paths

SalaryandJob Outlook for Public Health Careers

The job outlook for public health graduates is strong. Demand has surged post-COVID-19, driven by an intensified focus on pandemic preparedness, data-driven public health research and achieving health equity. 

However, a  confirms significant salary disparities across the public health workforce. Median salaries vary dramatically by industry and role. 

  • Government:Roles at agencies like the CDC are foundational but often offer lower median salaries compared to the private sector.
  • NonprofitsandNGOs:Mission-driven work in organizations addressinghealth disparitiesisrewardingbutis also often among the lower-paidin the sector.
  • Healthcareandprivatesector:Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and consulting firmsfrequentlyoffer the highest salary potential for specialized roles likebiostatisticiansorepidemiologists.

This data underscores the importance of education and specialization. An MPH is frequently required for these higher-paying, advanced technical and leadership positions. 

Conclusion

A public health degree prepares graduates for meaningful, impactful careers in public health. Whether your passion lies in data-driven research, direct community engagement or shaping health policy, there is a path for you. While financial rewards and day-to-day work vary between a government agency, a global nonprofit and a private research laboratory, the common thread is the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the well-being of populations. 

FAQs

What industries hire public health graduates?

Government agencies (e.g., state health departments, CDC), nonprofits and NGOs, hospital and healthcare systems, private researchinstitutes,and corporations (e.g., pharmaceuticals, insurance) all hire public health graduates.

What jobs can I get with a public health degree?

Common roles include epidemiologist, health educator, community health worker, health policy analyst, environmental healthspecialistand public health administrator. With an advanced degree, opportunities expand to leadership and specialized research positions.

Do you need amaster’sin public health for higher-paying jobs?

Yes. While abachelor’s degreeprovides entry into the field, anMPHis typicallyrequiredfor advanced, higher-paying positions in leadership, research,consultingand specialized technical fields like epidemiology.

Ƶ offers a fully online,affordableand relevantMPH programthat will equip you for an advanced role in public health.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Ƶ.
Kelley Wells
Kelley Wells, Ed.D. in Public Health Education

Kelley Wells is a public health leader currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Public Health Education at Ƶ. Additionally, she holds an impressive five master's degrees and two bachelor's degrees -- all within sectors of public health to continuously update her skills and contribute to the greater wellness of communities at large.

Read all articles
Share this:
Close Chat