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Career Profile

Epidemiologist
What They Do
Just the Facts
Investigates and describes the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, Insider Info
and other health outcomes and develop the means for prevention and control.
Dig into the details and check out what
people in this job have to say about their
This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
work.
cluster Science and Mathematics pathway.

A person in this career:

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Insider Info

Identifies and analyzes public health issues related to foodborne parasitic

diseases and their impact on public policies or scientific studies or surveys. Related Careers
Investigates diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors,
l Medical Scientist
progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
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Plans and directs studies to investigate human or animal disease,
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preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
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Prepares and analyzes samples to study effects of drugs, gases,
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pesticides, or microorganisms on cell structure and tissue.
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Standardizes drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for
Specialist
manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
Conducts research to develop methodologies, instrumentation and
procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings.
Consults with and advises physicians, educators, researchers, government Multimedia
health officials and others regarding medical applications of sciences, such
Watch a one-minute video showing what it's
as physics, biology, and chemistry.
Oversees public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care like to work in this career or related careers
planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
Plans, administers and evaluates health safety standards and programs to
Epidemiologists
improve public health, conferring with health department, industry
personnel, physicians and others.
watch video
Provides expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study
protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection and analysis.
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Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:
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You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you
might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.

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Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

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Seeing clearly up close

Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

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Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:
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Environmental Epidemiologist -- Studies the environmental exposures that contribute to or protect against injuries,
illnesses, developmental conditions, disabilities, and deaths; and identification of public health and health care actions to
manage the risks associated with harmful expo
Epidemiology Investigator -- Performs field investigations of endemic or epidemic situations of infectious or chronic
diseases and other health conditions and related environmental public health problems in order to make determinations
regarding causes, spread and prevention of disea
Histopathologist -- Studies human or animal tissue to provide data to delineate cause and progress of disease that impairs
body function.
Malariologist -- Specializes in the study, treatment, or prevention of malaria.
Pharmacoepidemiologist -- Studies of the use and effects of drugs in large groups of people.
Veterinary Epidemiologist -- Studies factors influencing existence and spread of diseases among humans and animals,
particularly those diseases transmissible from animals to humans.

Is This For You?

Interests:
The following categories describe the work interests (compatible with Holland's Model) of
people who tend to succeed in this career:

Your Interests:

The last time you took the

Interest Profiler your results
Investigative You are a "thinker". When you have a problem, you like to analyze it and look
were:
at different ways to solve it. You like to work by yourself, and you don''t like explaining your
ideas to other people.
Investigative
Social You are a "helper". You like being around people and helping them with problems.
Enterprising
Socializing is fun for you.
Take the Interest Profiler again.
Realistic You are a "doer". You like physical activities and projects. You like to find the

answers to problems by doing hands-on work instead of talking about solutions.

Work Values:
Work values are aspects of work that are satisfying to you. The following work

values are generally associated with this career.

Your Work Values:
Achievement It's very important to you that your work allows you to use your
best abilities. You want to see the results of your work and get a feeling of
Now that you know the work values for this
accomplishment.
career, would you like to find your personal
Independence It's very important to you that your work allows you to make
work values?
decisions on your own. You want to try out your own ideas and work with little

supervision.
Try the Work Values Sorter.
Recognition It's very important to you that your work satisfies your need for

prestige and leadership opportunities, as well as opportunities for advancement.

Tell me more about Work Values ...

Aptitudes:
Aptitudes reflect a person's ability to acquire skills and knowledge.

The following aptitudes are important for success in this career:

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General learning ability

Verbal aptitude
Numerical aptitude
General learning ability Top 10%
Verbal aptitude Top 10%
Numerical aptitude Top 10%
Spatial perception Top one-third
Form perception Top one-third
Clerical perception Top 10%
Eye-hand coordination Middle third
Finger dexterity Middle third
Manual dexterity Middle third

Tell me more about Aptitudes ...

Skills You Need

Basic Skills
The following skills are important for this
career:
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Reading comprehension high

(level 6)
Active listening medium (level 5)
Writing medium (level 5)
Speaking high (level 6)
Mathematics medium (level 4)
Science high (level 6)
Critical thinking medium (level 5)
Active learning medium (level 4)
Learning strategies medium
(level 3)
Monitoring medium (level 4)

Your Basic Skills:

Now that you know the basic skills for this career, would you like to find your
personal basic skills?
Try the Basic Skills Survey.

Tell me more about Basic Skills ...

Transferable Skills
Here's a list of skills used in this career that are also
used in other careers.

High level of skill required


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Analyzing and interpreting life science data

Collecting and recording medical information
Diagnosing diseases and disorders
Explaining life science concepts
Formulating program policy and goals
Operating computers to record and analyze
life science data
Operating laboratory testing equipment
Operating medical diagnostic equipment
Preparing technical or research reports
Researching life sciences
Working as a member of a health services
team

Your Transferable Skills:

Now that you know the transferable skills for this career, would you like to
find your personal transferable skills?
Try the Transferable Skills Checklist.

Tell me more about Transferable Skills ...

Workplace Skills
Workplace skills are practiced activities that help people become successful in all kinds of careers. Here's a list of the workplace
skills that are used in this career.

Medium level of skill required

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High level of skill required

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Complex problem solving

Judgment and decision making

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Coordination
Instructing
Management of personnel resources
Persuasion
Service orientation
Social perceptiveness
Systems analysis
Systems evaluation
Time management

Tell me more about Workplace Skills ...

Improve Your Skills:

Skills are wonderful because you can always improve them! All it takes is a little hard work and motivation.
So if you see that a career requires more skill than you currently have, don't worry it's always possible to learn more skills.

What To Learn
High School
What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career?
Get your answers from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Science and Mathematics pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:
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Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology

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Epidemiology
Medical Scientist
Environmental Health

Education Level
Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.
Master's degree
The minimum educational requirement for epidemiology is a master's degree from a school of public health. Some jobs require a
PhD or medical degree, depending on the work performed. Epidemiologists who work in hospitals and healthcare centers often
must have a medical degree with specific training in infectious diseases. Epidemiologists who perform laboratory tests often
require the knowledge and expertise of a licensed physician in order to administer drugs to patients in clinical trials.
Epidemiologists who are not physicians frequently work closely with one.

Insider Info
Education
dot

Epidemiologists have a few options for education. They require at least a master's degree. This can be a master of
public health (MPH), or a master of science in epidemiology. Others may also earn a PhD or a medical degree (MD).
Undergraduate training is not available in epidemiology. Undergraduate students should focus on the content area that they plan
to study when they do their graduate studies.
"For instance, a person interested in mental health would do well to take an undergraduate degree in psychology. A person
interested in 'curing cancer' may want to do their undergraduate work in molecular biology. And, as a final example, a person
with an interest in health policy would do well to have taken undergraduate courses in economics and policy," says Colin L.
Soskolne. He is an epidemiologist and professor.
Students who are planning to pursue epidemiology should have a strong background in science and math. The educational
pathway you choose may depend on what kind of job you want in the field.
"I must admit that most students who graduate with MPH [master of public health] find a job in epidemiology. Those with PhDs
usually go on to academia," says Helene Carabin. She is an epidemiologist, a veterinarian and a professor at the University of
Oklahoma.
"Choosing to pursue master's or doctoral level education is ultimately a very personal decision," says Soskolne. "Epidemiologists
are in demand with either a master's or a doctoral degree. Usually, the doctoral-trained epidemiologist will be engaged in more
responsible work, leading research teams and chairing departments, and so on."

Extra Requirements
For additional information, visit these websites:
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http://www.cbic.org

Money And Outlook

California Earnings
Average Annual Wage

$82,520

Entry Annual Wage

$42,600
Experienced Annual Wage $138,580
Average Hourly Wage
$39.67
Entry Hourly Wage
$20.48
Experienced Hourly Wage $66.63
Median Hourly Wage
$35.73

California Regional Earnings

California Metropolitan Areas Wages
Region
Average
Entry Level
Experienced
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale MD $57,980 or $27.88/hr $40,180 or $19.32/hr $91,380 or $43.93/hr
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario MSA $58,090 or $27.93/hr $40,050 or $19.26/hr $83,210 or $40.01/hr
Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville MSA $89,020 or $42.80/hr $58,640 or $28.19/hr $118,920 or $57.18/hr
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos MSA $92,070 or $44.27/hr $68,700 or $33.03/hr $134,950 or $64.88/hr
View Map

National Earnings
Average Annual Wage $73,040
Average Hourly Wage $35.11
Average Annual Range $42,560 to $111,080
Note: variations in salaries reflect differences in size of firm, location, level of education and professional credentials.
Where do these numbers come from?

California's Regional Employment and Outlook

Regions with increasing outlook (over 20% growth rate expected)

Region
San Francisco-San MateoRedwood City MD

Annual
Openings
(growth)

Projected
Employment
Growth Rate
100

40%

Annual Openings
(replacement)
1

Annual
Openings
5

View Map

National Employment and Outlook

Outlook

stable
The employment change from 2012 to 2022 is estimated to be +10.2%.
(The National average for all occupations is +10.8%)

Job
very small number
Openings
Less than 1000 average annual openings are expected for this occupation between 2012 and 2022.

(The National Average for all occupations is 4,638 openings)

Employment very small occupation
This was a very small occupation in the United States, employing 5,100 workers in 2012.

(The National average for all occupations is 133,353 workers)

Growth Average growth
Ongoing public health awareness, as well as an increased reliance on medical records for public health analysis,
will maintain demand for epidemiologists. New legislation that will improve medical record-keeping is expected to
create more opportunities for epidemiologists to track infection and demographic data. Employment growth is
expected to be strong in state and local governments. Governments have increased their demand for

epidemiologists because the analyses that epidemiologists do are important to preventive healthcare, as well as to
emergency responses. Epidemiologists generally should have favorable opportunities. Many states report
shortagesofqualifiedworkersforappliedepidemiologypositions.
Large concentrations of this occupation are found in these industries
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Industries

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Government (NAICS990000) (56%)

Health care (NAICS621000-3000) (18%)
Hospitals, private (NAICS622000) (13%)
Scientific research and development services (NAICS541700) (7%)

Connections
Associations
Infectious Diseases Society of America
1300 Wilson Blvd, Ste 300
Arlington, VA 22209
http://www.idsociety.org
Society for Healthcare Epidemilogy of America
1300 Wilson Blvd, Ste 300
Arlington, VA 22209
http://www.shea-online.org
Society for Epidemiologic Research
PO Box 990
Clearfield, UT 84089
http://www.epiresearch.org
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
1275 K St NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005-4006
http://www.apic.org

Internet Sites
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
http://www.apic.org
Infectious Diseases Society of America
http://www.idsociety.org
Society for Epidemiologic Research
http://www.epiresearch.org
Society for Healthcare Epidemilogy of America

http://www.shea-online.org
Myfuture.com
http://www.myfuture.com

Related Career Information Sources

O*NET-SOC occupation
Epidemiologists 19-1041.00
http://www.onetcenter.org/online.html
SOC occupation
Epidemiologists 19-1041
http://www.bls.gov/soc/
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Military Career Opportunities

None available

Job Bank Links

Interviews
Insider Info
"When I discovered epidemiology I thought I had died and gone to heaven," says Linda Cowan. She is an epidemiologist and a
professor at the University of Oklahoma.
She loves to solve mysteries, collect evidence and study biology. She does all these things as an epidemiologist. When she first
started her career over 30 years ago, she dreamed of making an important discovery about what causes disease. She has
realized just how difficult it is to make such a breakthrough.
"Prevention is always the goal, so any steps in that direction is a reward," she says.
These days she is rewarded by preparing students for the field and moving the research forward. She says the field is very
exciting because it offers many opportunities for international work and travel. She has done a lot of work in Africa.
Cowan and her colleague Helene Carabin have a pilot study in Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in western Africa. It is one of
the poorest countries in the world. They are studying epilepsy and a parasitic disease called neurocysticercosis that can cause
epilepsy.
Due to issues involving poverty, hygiene, food preparation and sanitation, the human brain may become infected with the larval
worm of this parasitic disease. This can cause seizures and epilepsy.
"People with epilepsy are marginalized, cannot marry and are thought to be contagious. So when one has a fit, they are left alone
and people run away," says Carabin. She is also an epidemiologist and a professor at the University of Oklahoma.
Carabin and Cowan visited an isolated village west of the capital city Ouagadougou. They met with a nurse and found that no
one with epilepsy was being treated.
The local team of researchers interviewed people and sent those with epilepsy to a CT scanner to get images of their brains. The
researchers were looking for people with worm larvae in their brains. They found that 50 percent of people with epilepsy in that
part of the world indeed have the larvae in their brains.

"But the most inspiring result was that, when I went back to the village last January to thank the villagers for their participation,
we were told by the nurse that he was now treating 30 people for epilepsy! The chief of the village also mentioned during the
meeting (which took place at the village center under a mango tree) that people with epilepsy should go to the nurse and get
treated because the 'modern' treatment (in contrast to treatment provided by traditional healers) does work.
"So it seems that simply talking about the issue improved the health of at least 30 people in that village. These are the sorts of
experiences that make us happy. We hope to continue this research by testing an intervention to reduce the infection with the
worm and ultimately prevent several cases of epilepsy in that region," says Carabin.
The logic behind designing a study is Carabin's favorite part of the job. Like Cowan, she also likes to solve mysteries.
"You have a disease (or infection) that will happen in some people and not in others. Why? I am a veterinarian by training and
decided to become an epidemiologist because I hated treating animals without knowing what had caused the disease. Prevention
is so much more rewarding, in my view, anyway. And in order to prevent, you need to know the causes."
Getting funding for research is the greatest challenge for epidemiologists, says Carabin.
Cowan agrees that a lot of good project ideas go unfunded. The studies are expensive. For example, a lot of workers are
required to follow 1,000 research subjects for years, and collect and analyze their medical data, which can be costly.
Colin L. Soskolne specializes in environmental epidemiology. He graduated in applied mathematics and computer science. Then
he worked as a biostatistician for seven years. Next he earned his PhD in epidemiology.
"I like the fact that my research can influence public policy at the highest levels. This impact makes what I do seem all the more
important for keeping communities healthy," he says.
As with most health researchers, Soskolne's workday is typically longer than eight hours. He is usually in his office whittling down
a long list of responsibilities. The list includes writing papers on completed research, sending research reports to agencies, filling
in grant applications for new research that he would like to see undertaken, preparing lectures and helping students.
"All in all, the days are exciting and challenging. I like to work long hours because the work of the epidemiologist is so
important," says Soskolne.
He says anyone with an analytical mind who is determined to work in public health could be an epidemiologist.
"Physical and also personality peculiarities will define the scope of the job best suited to the individual. For instance, not all
epidemiologists are good (or needed) in public speaking. Some people are best placed to work behind the scenes. Others do
well being in the trenches. Both are needed," says Soskolne.
He explains that some epidemiologists specialize in infectious diseases. This type of disease is caused by bugs of some sort.
Other epidemiologists focus on diseases that take a longer time to develop. This specialization might focus on exposure to
pollution, or diseases caused by lifestyle choices such as smoking.
"The challenge often is to disentangle genetic from environmental causes of disease. Whether one works, for instance, in
universities doing research and teaching, or in public health units responding to disease emergencies and health inspection
monitoring services, the aim is always to prevent disease or injuries from occurring," says Soskolne.
He says the maxim of epidemiologists is "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Real Life Activities

Insider Info
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