5 Public Health Careers

Public health professionals strive not only to prevent disease and promote physical and mental health within a community but also to improve community members’ quality of life, strengthen their social supports, and create healthier environments for them and for future generations.

Because of the impact these professionals can have on society, pursuing a public health career is a meaningful way for an individual to make a difference. For those with advanced training in this field, such as a Master of Public Health (MPH), numerous career path options are available.

Preparing for a Public Health Career

The road to a career in public health starts with developing the right foundation of knowledge and skills. For many professionals, this means earning a master’s degree in public health.

Earning an advanced public health degree is a way for individuals to deepen their understanding of the subjects that are central to public health programs, such as environmental health, social and behavioral science, and epidemiology. It also provides the opportunity for individuals to strengthen essential competencies in areas such as leadership, decision-making, analysis, and communication. These skills can open doors to traditional public health roles, such as program analyst or public administrator.

Typical MPH programs include coursework in biostatistics, health program planning, cultural issues in health care, and health education administration, giving students both quantitative and qualitative tools to address complex health challenges. Many programs require a practicum or fieldwork component, where students gain hands-on experience in hospitals, community organizations, or government agencies.

A graduate degree such as an MPH is often the educational benchmark for professionals pursuing public health careers, and potential employers often give preference to candidates with advanced training. Graduate programs also provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, creating networking opportunities that can help further an individual’s career.

Key Public Health Careers at a Glance

Professionals interested in a public health career can apply their skills in a number of ways, in areas that range from leadership and research to direct patient care and community outreach. While each position has its own unique responsibilities and work environment, they all share the common goal of improving society and the lives of individuals in various communities.

These examples highlight five common public health career roles:

1. Medical and Health Services Manager

Also known as health care administrators or health care executives, medical and health services managers oversee the operations of health care facilities or departments. Their responsibilities include setting goals, supervising staff, managing budgets, ensuring legal compliance, and representing their facility in meetings with governing boards.

Many medical and health services managers work in hospitals, physician group practices, and long-term care facilities, where their decisions can directly shape the quality of care patients receive.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the 2024 median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $117,960, and projected job growth for this role is 23% between 2024 and 2034.

2. Health Care Social Worker

Health care, or medical, social workers provide support, advocacy, and coping strategies to patients who need assistance in areas that range from chronic illness management to end-of-life care. They help develop patient care strategies, connect patients with community resources, educate patients and families, and collaborate with other health care professionals.

For example, a health care social worker might help a cancer patient access transportation to a hospital for treatment or connect a family to financial counseling services.

The BLS reports that the 2024 median annual salary for health care social workers was $68,090, and projected job growth for this role is 8% between 2024 and 2034.

3. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of diseases using patient surveys, interviews, and data and sample collections. They work with public health and government officials to create public health policies and strategies based on their findings, including demographic-specific strategies.

Epidemiologists’ research might focus on tracking seasonal flu outbreaks, studying the effects of environmental exposures on individuals’ health, or analyzing health disparities across racial and socioeconomic groups.

The BLS reports that the 2024 median annual salary for epidemiologists was $83,980, and projected job growth for this role is 16% between 2024 and 2034.

4. Community Health Worker

Community health workers act as liaisons who connect the public to various community, health, and social service systems. They advocate for people’s basic needs, such as food security and housing, while also providing support to individuals in areas such as substance abuse recovery, chronic disease management, and nutrition.

Community health workers may lead neighborhood wellness workshops, conduct home visits, or organize outreach campaigns tailored to specific cultural groups.

The BLS reports that the 2024 median annual salary for community health workers was $51,030, and projected job growth for this role is 11% between 2024 and 2034.

5. Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) provide counseling and treatment strategies to individuals with behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. They assess clients, design collaborative treatment plans for them, monitor their treatment progress, and help them navigate difficult life events, such as the loss of a loved one or a divorce.

The BLS reports that the 2024 median annual salary for all social workers, including LCSWs, was $61,330, and projected job growth for this role is 6% between 2024 and 2034.

Make a Crucial Difference With a Public Health Degree

Individuals who pursue public health careers have jobs that differ in their focus and responsibilities, but they all share the mission of strengthening communities and improving lives. The meaningful impact they make in their communities makes the field uniquely rewarding for professionals who want to contribute to lasting change.

The online Master of Public Health: Community Health Education program from Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to turn that mission into action. Combining classroom instruction with fieldwork, the program helps students apply their learning to real-world public health challenges. Its cohort format fosters strong networking relationships that can support students’ career growth long after they graduate.

Learn how Tseng College can help you achieve your goals and make a positive mark on society.