Industry Outlook:
Public Health
The public health industry plays a crucial role in safeguarding and improving the health of communities and populations. It encompasses a wide range of services, policies, and initiatives aimed at preventing disease, promoting healthy lifestyles, and ensuring access to essential health care services. From vaccination campaigns and epidemiological research to health education and policy advocacy, the public health sector operates at the intersection of science, policy, and community engagement.
Public health extends beyond infectious disease control to address chronic diseases, mental health, environmental health, and health imbalances. It involves a diverse array of professionals, including epidemiologists, health educators, policymakers, and community health workers, all working to improve population health outcomes.
Future of the Industry
Projected Job Growth for Health Education Specialists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of health education specialists, public health professionals who number more than 60,000 nationally, is expected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032.
The BLS projects about 6,600 openings for health education specialists each year through 2032. These openings are likely due to the need to replace workers who switch occupations or retire.
Top Annual Wage of Public Health Professionals
As of June 2024, top earners nationwide in public health brought in up to $127,500.
The majority of annual salaries in public health ranged between $60,500 and $89,000, nationwide, with an average annual pay of $79,657 nationally.
Source: ZipRecruiter
Where Can You Find Public Health Workers?*
Public health professionals work in a variety of settings including state and local health departments, hospitals, clinics, universities and colleges, laboratories, schools, and more. Most of these people can be found in office settings, but sometimes they work in the field, attending public meetings and hearings and educating community members.
Government: 26% Ambulatory health care services: 17% State, local, and private hospitals: 17% Social assistance: 9% Educational services: 6% Other: 25%
*BLS data for health education specialists
Enter the Industry
Education Level of Public Health Workers
Bachelor's
Master's
Associate
Doctoral
Post Doctoral
Source: College Factual
College Factual reports that from 2020–2021, public health was the 26th most popular major nationwide, with more than 40,000 degrees awarded. Almost 85% of workers in public health–related fields have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree.
Earn Your Degree with Excelsior
Excelsior University’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Public Health program provides an alignment of both present and emerging public health challenges. The curriculum is designed to guide students to be critical thinkers in consuming, evaluating, and distributing information related to health care, public health care delivery, and the administration of services and products. The curriculum incorporates activities designed to cultivate leadership skills and promote collaborative teamwork. To enhance the learning experience, the program includes experiential learning opportunities designed to engage students in activities directly applicable to real-world public health scenarios. The program learning outcomes meet industry needs and align with Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) core competencies.
Students can choose either the Health and Wellness or the Management concentration.
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Take the Next Steps
If you’re interested in learning more about Excelsior University’s online bachelor’s in public health program, contact one of our friendly admissions counselors to request more information. No matter where you are on your education journey, we’re here to help you get to the finish line.
