What Salary Can I Expect with a Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree?

Before embarking on a master’s degree program, most prospective students ask the same question: Is the investment and time worth it? While pursuing a higher degree can be inherently rewarding, many of us take on the extra challenge of graduate studies with a clear objective: to increase our earning potential. A Master of Public Health (MPH) can prepare you for a variety of positions within health-related fields, including research, educational, and managerial careers. But how does a MPH stack up in terms of a future salary? It will largely depend on the sector you work in, as well as the level of experience you bring to the job. However, a graduate from a MPH program can look forward to a higher-paying and dynamic job market.

Professional Options with a MPH Degree

First, it is important to understand the job of public health professionals. Public health describes an interdisciplinary field that promotes human health and safety through education, policy making, and research. In today’s economic and social landscape, the health-related fields are a continually growing sector for employment. After completing a MPH program, many graduates will go on to become:

• Epidemiologists
• Analyst / Biostatisticians
• Research Associates
• Healthcare Consultants
• Health Service Managers
• Program Coordinators, Non-Profit Organization
• Public Policy Makers

A MPH can prepare you to work at an individual, local community, and society level – and the scope of available jobs is expanding.

The Bottom Line: What You Can Earn with a Master of Public Health

The Median. The average salary will depend on what type of position you hold, as well as where you live in the United States. In the U.S., the median incomes for public health professionals typically range from $44,000-$80,000. Program coordinators and non-profit professionals tend to be the lower end of the salary spectrum, while healthcare consultants tend to be at the higher end.

Regional differences. It is important to note that this range represents medians. A certain percentage at the bottom end may earn less than $44,000 and a certain percentage at the top end may earn more than $80,000. Regional considerations can influence salaries. Urban areas with higher costs of living tend to have higher compensation rates than rural areas. Some top cities for public health workers are New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta.

Who are the highest paid public health workers? With salaries of $100,000+, tropical disease specialists, management policy advisors, and health center administrators are often cited as top earners in the field. Biostaticians, who collect data about environmental science and medicine, average about $72,000+.

Learn More About a MPH Degree

If you are ready to take the next step with your education and career, a Master of Public Health may give you a competitive edge. Learn more about an online Master of Public Health degree and how it can open a wealth of opportunities, as well as boost your income. Contact MPH Online today to jumpstart your graduate studies and request information from an MPH program now!