Health Education Specialist Salary
Health Education Specialists earn a median $64,070 a year nationally. Community and Social Service Occupations
What health education specialists do
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.6% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 6,900
Employment of health education specialists is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,900 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.
Health Education Specialist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,508
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,972
- Medicare (1.45%)$929
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$53,660
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,990 | $20.67 | $36,722 |
| 25th percentile | $50,620 | $24.34 | $42,853 |
| Median (50th) | $64,070 | $30.80 | $53,660 |
| 75th percentile | $87,130 | $41.89 | $70,126 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,200 | $56.83 | $91,984 |
Best cities for health education specialists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $112,450 | $82,725 | $82,677 | 2,580 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $64,110 | $50,827 | $45,155 | 3,380 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $62,380 | $49,699 | $43,762 | 4,320 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Atlanta, GA — $112,450
- New York, NY — $64,110
- Los Angeles, CA — $62,380
Health Education Specialist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $104,470 | +3.3% | $77,726 | $56,160 – $161,470 | 2,220 |
| District of Columbia | $103,330 | −6.6% | $75,708 | $63,250 – $170,980 | 680 |
| Georgia | $99,400 | +2.5% | $74,222 | $51,800 – $153,630 | 3,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 | +7.5% | $63,105 | $45,720 – $120,640 | 2,690 |
| Minnesota | $78,400 | +0.4% | $60,177 | $45,730 – $106,780 | 1,250 |
| Washington | $77,420 | +6.7% | $63,295 | $52,910 – $95,680 | 1,750 |
| Iowa | $75,750 | +11.5% | $59,893 | $46,450 – $95,750 | 540 |
| Oregon | $75,500 | +2.3% | $56,168 | $54,430 – $111,860 | 840 |
| Rhode Island | $75,360 | −6.3% | $59,637 | $38,660 – $110,780 | 150 |
| Colorado | $74,150 | +6.1% | $58,440 | $41,710 – $117,170 | 750 |
| Wisconsin | $74,040 | +9.9% | $58,374 | $50,710 – $96,940 | 900 |
| New Jersey | $73,740 | −5.9% | $58,180 | $46,250 – $130,100 | 1,420 |
| Alaska | $71,940 | −1.0% | $59,440 | $49,980 – $100,760 | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $69,990 | −4.9% | $58,068 | $46,550 – $108,210 | 250 |
| Vermont | $68,140 | +4.2% | $54,729 | $56,080 – $97,430 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $66,870 | −7.1% | $53,770 | $47,800 – $115,540 | 400 |
| Kentucky | $65,370 | +1.9% | $52,534 | $44,610 – $98,030 | 760 |
| Alabama | $65,210 | +22.8% | $51,581 | $40,580 – $97,180 | 540 |
| Ohio | $64,860 | −5.1% | $53,294 | $40,690 – $98,110 | 1,970 |
| South Carolina | $64,720 | +8.3% | $51,456 | $44,050 – $99,290 | 470 |
| Virginia | $64,040 | −6.1% | $50,768 | $42,640 – $137,980 | 690 |
| Hawaii | $63,740 | −1.3% | $50,081 | $35,500 – $99,130 | 190 |
| California | $63,610 | +5.8% | $50,587 | $49,020 – $113,170 | 12,520 |
| Arizona | $63,390 | +9.1% | $51,738 | $42,770 – $134,630 | 1,140 |
| Delaware | $63,300 | +2.4% | $50,205 | $37,400 – $99,360 | 340 |
| Kansas | $62,990 | −5.9% | $50,077 | $36,790 – $97,430 | 520 |
| West Virginia | $62,760 | +0.6% | $50,518 | $41,580 – $106,710 | 400 |
| Wyoming | $62,750 | +0.6% | $52,600 | $56,430 – $97,980 | 90 |
| New York | $62,560 | +3.7% | $49,666 | $44,830 – $95,980 | 4,150 |
| Oklahoma | $62,440 | +2.4% | $50,086 | $39,270 – $103,780 | 820 |
| Arkansas | $62,270 | +9.1% | $49,998 | $38,230 – $96,780 | 200 |
| Nevada | $62,120 | +1.4% | $52,093 | $33,830 – $111,840 | 270 |
| Idaho | $61,330 | −12.5% | $49,316 | $43,930 – $90,120 | 370 |
| Illinois | $60,120 | +3.5% | $47,655 | $41,480 – $105,660 | 1,010 |
| Utah | $59,790 | −3.0% | $48,497 | $48,290 – $110,430 | 490 |
| North Dakota | $59,650 | +1.7% | $50,109 | $47,410 – $90,660 | 200 |
| Texas | $59,340 | +5.6% | $49,860 | $45,790 – $112,320 | 5,320 |
| Maine | $58,300 | −2.0% | $46,270 | $45,290 – $82,490 | 490 |
| Indiana | $58,170 | −3.0% | $47,233 | $36,130 – $96,010 | 1,380 |
| North Carolina | $58,080 | +6.1% | $47,039 | $44,410 – $99,140 | 2,110 |
| New Mexico | $57,990 | −6.1% | $47,215 | $39,730 – $94,220 | 660 |
| Louisiana | $57,840 | +1.2% | $47,305 | $40,020 – $91,490 | 470 |
| Massachusetts | $57,510 | −7.6% | $45,734 | $37,460 – $142,860 | 2,420 |
| South Dakota | $57,370 | +2.9% | $48,277 | $46,400 – $78,360 | 190 |
| Missouri | $57,050 | −5.1% | $46,276 | $42,960 – $97,800 | — |
| Nebraska | $56,800 | +8.7% | $46,114 | $38,570 – $83,520 | 230 |
| Michigan | $56,360 | +6.7% | $45,321 | $37,750 – $89,050 | 1,480 |
| Montana | $51,200 | −1.6% | $41,670 | $35,230 – $82,990 | 240 |
| Mississippi | $51,020 | +6.1% | $41,866 | $35,860 – $76,490 | 410 |
| Tennessee | $49,630 | −11.3% | $42,058 | $39,130 – $110,450 | 490 |
| Florida | $46,360 | −13.3% | $39,430 | $29,990 – $94,040 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | +3.0% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,730 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Community Health Worker | $51,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.7% |
| Social and Human Service Assistant | $45,930 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.4% |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,330 | Master's degree | +2.9% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | Master's degree | +13.5% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,280 | Master's degree | +10.3% |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $67,880 | Master's degree | +8.5% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,350 | Master's degree | +18.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a health education specialist make?
The national median salary for health education specialists is $64,070 a year ($30.80 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,990 and the top 10% earn over $118,200. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays health education specialists the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $104,470. After taxes and local prices, Atlanta, GA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many health education specialists are there in the U.S.?
About 65,690 people work as health education specialists nationwide.