Epidemiologist Salary
Epidemiologists earn a median $87,220 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
U.S. median
$87,220
$41.93 per hour
Range
$61,270 – $138,800
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
12,090
across the U.S.
▲3.9%
Pay trend: The median for epidemiologists in the U.S. rose from $83,980 (May 2024) to $87,220 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.5%.
What epidemiologists do
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +18.7% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 800
Employment of epidemiologists is projected to grow 18.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Epidemiologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$70,189
per year · effective tax rate 19.5%
$5,849Monthly
$2,925Twice a month
$2,700Every 2 weeks
$33.74Hourly
- Federal income tax$10,358
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,408
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,265
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$70,189
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,270 | $29.46 | $51,410 |
| 25th percentile | $71,090 | $34.18 | $58,842 |
| Median (50th) | $87,220 | $41.93 | $70,189 |
| 75th percentile | $112,640 | $54.15 | $88,072 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,800 | $66.73 | $106,136 |
Epidemiologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 | +10.5% | $84,784 | $81,380 – $212,890 | 660 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 | +14.3% | $81,299 | $63,580 – $168,970 | 90 |
| California | $110,760 | +10.3% | $79,239 | $71,910 – $168,220 | 1,480 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 | −0.4% | $81,244 | $71,360 – $162,460 | 290 |
| Washington | $108,240 | +8.3% | $84,977 | $82,980 – $159,730 | 1,010 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 | +5.1% | $76,738 | $79,000 – $124,300 | 310 |
| Illinois | $102,720 | +3.5% | $76,154 | $65,570 – $138,800 | 240 |
| Maryland | $101,830 | +7.8% | $75,994 | $74,120 – $132,630 | 600 |
| Nevada | $99,880 | +22.5% | $79,096 | $51,590 – $187,680 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 | +0.4% | $77,288 | $75,080 – $137,580 | 220 |
| Oregon | $93,620 | +4.9% | $67,330 | $77,320 – $126,950 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $88,770 | +7.4% | $67,955 | $79,670 – $213,570 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,860 | +4.8% | $67,942 | $64,600 – $134,890 | 360 |
| Michigan | $84,990 | +4.1% | $65,259 | $52,910 – $112,900 | 280 |
| Virginia | $84,930 | +0.5% | $64,509 | $59,870 – $121,580 | 220 |
| North Carolina | $84,770 | +2.8% | $65,592 | $56,470 – $168,550 | 220 |
| South Carolina | $84,660 | +4.9% | $64,466 | $56,200 – $105,330 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $83,670 | −1.8% | $64,665 | $64,140 – $117,210 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $83,240 | +12.8% | $64,481 | $64,200 – $105,190 | 80 |
| New York | $80,220 | −10.6% | $61,530 | $67,600 – $164,900 | 670 |
| New Mexico | $79,980 | −1.4% | $62,503 | $71,200 – $102,390 | 80 |
| Iowa | $79,880 | −0.5% | $62,642 | $48,080 – $108,210 | 90 |
| Kansas | $79,620 | +14.1% | $61,200 | $60,200 – $97,820 | 70 |
| Montana | $79,500 | +17.2% | $61,627 | $55,090 – $93,880 | 100 |
| Florida | $79,460 | +4.1% | $64,730 | $57,500 – $129,930 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $78,810 | +12.4% | $61,632 | $58,010 – $96,150 | 120 |
| Indiana | $77,250 | −0.4% | $60,926 | $64,830 – $103,650 | 170 |
| Texas | $77,170 | +1.0% | $63,119 | $59,860 – $113,790 | 1,160 |
| Utah | $76,960 | +6.7% | $60,474 | $53,140 – $119,250 | 190 |
| Hawaii | $76,780 | +7.7% | $58,540 | $58,290 – $109,300 | 70 |
| Ohio | $76,480 | +4.8% | $61,313 | $54,410 – $130,560 | 300 |
| Alabama | $74,740 | +2.6% | $57,938 | $47,830 – $106,590 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $73,850 | +23.5% | $58,954 | $49,740 – $105,240 | 120 |
| Colorado | $73,750 | +0.6% | $58,177 | $63,440 – $100,870 | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $72,590 | +17.9% | $57,176 | $55,130 – $103,790 | 120 |
| Georgia | $70,880 | +4.0% | $55,638 | $49,040 – $114,790 | 510 |
| West Virginia | $70,540 | +7.7% | $55,990 | $49,070 – $92,610 | 100 |
| Maine | $68,850 | — | $53,800 | $52,000 – $84,760 | 60 |
| Arizona | $67,260 | −2.9% | $54,675 | $48,010 – $85,800 | 340 |
| Missouri | $66,890 | +3.2% | $53,681 | $54,410 – $95,730 | 120 |
| Idaho | $66,280 | — | $53,031 | $60,710 – $141,240 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $56,930 | −2.7% | $46,378 | $46,450 – $98,870 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.6% |
| Microbiologist | $87,990 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $88,720 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 | Bachelor's degree | +5.3% |
| Animal Scientist | $68,940 | Bachelor's degree | +5.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a epidemiologist make?
The national median salary for epidemiologists is $87,220 a year ($41.93 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $61,270 and the top 10% earn over $138,800. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays epidemiologists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $115,890.
How many epidemiologists are there in the U.S.?
About 12,090 people work as epidemiologists nationwide.