8 Public Health Careers With Great Potential

Public health careers work to ensure the overall care of the public at large through confronting the national or global health issues prevalent at the time, reducing environmental hazards, increasing accessibility to healthcare coverage, and other broad issues that affect large groups of people.

And like most careers in healthcare, you can expect to find rising salaries and increased growth rates, placing the among the best positions to consider if you're looking to secure your financial future.

1. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists work to rid communities of widespread outbreaks like influenza or food poisoning that attacks a given community, typically on a large scale.

Their job is to investigate the causes of the disease or illness, and evaluate the proper steps to limit the damage and control their spread.

To become an epidemiologist, students are required to complete at least a master's degree in public health and begin gaining experience as soon as possible. They can expect to earn, on average, $67,420 per year, and their job growth is expected to stay around 6% for the coming decade.

2. Biostatistician

Biostatisticians work to closely examine the data involved in healthcare services provided by public health professionals, and apply statistical theory to analyze and interpret it to gain valuable insights.

In order to become a biostatistician, students must, at minimum, receive a bachelor's degree, but many go on to pursue a master's in order to get ahead in the field early.

Biostatisticians can expect to earn an average salary of $75,990, and their job growth rate, along with all other statisticians, sites at an incredible 34%!

3. Health Services Administrator

Health services administrators are responsible for designing and building programs to improve the overall health conditions of families, communities, and individuals both in and outside of the United States.

These healthcare professionals must earn at least a bachelor's degree, but most go on to pursue a master's prior to becoming a health services administrator. If this career is in your future, you can expect to earn, on average, $92,810 and a growth rate of 17% - much faster than the average among all jobs.

4. Environmental Scientist

In order to determine the environmental risks in a given area have been identified, assessed, and analyzed, environmental scientists are trained to work alongside other public health professionals. They can go by many titles, including environmental consultant, public health specialist, environmental enforcement officer, and others.

Environmental scientists must generally earn, a minimum, a bachelor's degree and a certification in a particular specialty, and are paid roughly $66,250 with a growth rate of 11%, faster than the average.

5. Behavioral Scientist

Behavioral scientists are responsible for encouraging others to make healthy life choices and developing programs for the protection of the public. They're typically found working alongside policymakers, educators, and other health care professionals in an effort to improve public health broadly.

In order to become one, behavioral scientists must earn a degree in psychology, anthropology, behavioral science, or health education, and can expect to earn $57,770 on average.

6. Nurse Educator

Nurse educators work with all sorts of nursing specialties, including public health, to ensure they are properly trained by utilizing classroom training, formulating lesson plans, guiding students through clinical work, and evaluating existing nursing programs.

In order to become a nurse educator, you must at least earn a bachelor's degree, but many go on to pursue a master's, and follow that by earning the required state certification. Nurse educators earn an average salary of $83,330 and, especially with the looming nursing shortage, have a higher than average projected growth rate of 13%.

7. Nutritionist

Nutritionists are primarily responsible for guiding their patients to a healthier lifestyle through a personalized diet and exercise program. They help their patients choose the right foods, plan menus, and advise them on the health effects of particular foods.

In order to become a nutritionist, you must earn a bachelor's degree and the required license and certification. Many go on to pursue a master's degree to gain an edge in the hiring process.

As a nutritionist, you can expect to earn roughly $55,920 per year, and, with a job growth rate of 16%,  you can expect to have a position waiting for you soon after graduation.

8. Community Health Worker

Community health workers are typically what people think of when the term "public health" is mentioned. However, they can go by many names, including health coach, family advocate, community health advisor, outreach worker, peer counselor, and others. They're mainly responsible for supporting the community through counseling, advocacy, and providing resources to individuals in the community.

To become a community health worker, a bachelor's degree is highly suggested, although not required. Gaining experience without the degree is doable, but not the optimal choice.

Community health workers can expect to earn $36,521 on average, and the career has a growth rate of 13%, faster than average.