How much does a epidemiologist make?
The median epidemiologist in the United States earns $87,220 per year, about $41.93 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all epidemiologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1041.
Epidemiologist salary range
Pay for epidemiologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $61,270 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $138,800. The average (mean) wage of $97,890 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,270 | $29.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $71,090 | $34.18 | |
| Median (50th) | $87,220 | $41.93 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $112,640 | $54.15 | |
| 90th percentile | $138,800 | $66.73 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for epidemiologists (SOC 19-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Epidemiologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Epidemiologists earn the most in Massachusetts at $115,890 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $56,930. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 | 660 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 | 90 |
| California | $110,760 | 1,480 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 | 290 |
| Washington | $108,240 | 1,010 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 | 310 |
| Illinois | $102,720 | 240 |
| Maryland | $101,830 | 600 |
| Nevada | $99,880 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 | 220 |
| Oregon | $93,620 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $88,770 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,860 | 360 |
| Michigan | $84,990 | 280 |
| Virginia | $84,930 | 220 |
| North Carolina | $84,770 | 220 |
| South Carolina | $84,660 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $83,670 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $83,240 | 80 |
| New York | $80,220 | 670 |
| New Mexico | $79,980 | 80 |
| Iowa | $79,880 | 90 |
| Kansas | $79,620 | 70 |
| Montana | $79,500 | 100 |
| Florida | $79,460 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $78,810 | 120 |
| Indiana | $77,250 | 170 |
| Texas | $77,170 | 1,160 |
| Utah | $76,960 | 190 |
| Hawaii | $76,780 | 70 |
| Ohio | $76,480 | 300 |
| Alabama | $74,740 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $73,850 | 120 |
| Colorado | $73,750 | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $72,590 | 120 |
| Georgia | $70,880 | 510 |
| West Virginia | $70,540 | 100 |
| Maine | $68,850 | 60 |
| Arizona | $67,260 | 340 |
| Missouri | $66,890 | 120 |
| Idaho | $66,280 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $56,930 | 40 |
State median wages for epidemiologists (SOC 19-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for epidemiologists
The BLS projects employment of epidemiologists to grow 18.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 12,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for epidemiologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an epidemiologist
The typical entry-level education for epidemiologists is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an epidemiologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $115,890) and the lowest (Mississippi, $56,930) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,090 people work as epidemiologists in the United States. At $87,220 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Epidemiologist salary FAQ
How much does an epidemiologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an epidemiologist is $41.93. The middle half of epidemiologists earn between $34.18 and $54.15 per hour.
What is the highest epidemiologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of epidemiologists earn more than $138,800 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an epidemiologist make a year?
The median annual salary for an epidemiologist is $87,220. The average (mean) wage of $97,890 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an epidemiologist a well paid job?
At $87,220 a year, an epidemiologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,090 people work as epidemiologists in the United States.
Which state pays epidemiologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for epidemiologists at $115,890 a year. District of Columbia ($112,370) and California ($110,760) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an epidemiologist a good career?
Employment of epidemiologists is projected to grow 18.7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an epidemiologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for epidemiologists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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