My Colorado Journey
Back to pathway map
Public HealthTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Epidemiologist

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

Annual openings

44

Median wage

$73,750

Typical education

Master's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+14%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

Interactive walkthrough

Explore My Colorado Journey Careers

See where to compare pay, job demand, locations, skills, education, and training for a Colorado career.

Open in a new tab

Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Master's degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
  2. Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
  3. Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
  4. Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
  5. Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
  6. Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Feedback