Careers With a Master of Public Health Degree

A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree can create a lot of opportunities for people interested in helping improve community health and wellbeing. This degree equips you with the knowledge and skills to address complex health challenges through research, policy, education, and advocacy.  

Learn about the different types of MPH degrees and what you can do with them.

Make a Difference With a Career in Public Health

At its core, choosing a career in public health means choosing a career in people. If you’re guided by a sense of purpose, an MPH degree can provide the opportunity to turn those values into action — whether by addressing health disparities, shaping equitable policies, or leading care initiatives for your community.  

This is a field where you can apply your knowledge to prevent disease, promote wellness, and create lasting change in the health of entire populations. 

Top Career Paths

Here’s a look at some common MPH career paths, including expected salaries, job growth, duties, and the typical degree requirements — plus how they might match your interests. Note the salary info below is general and can vary based on factors such as your experience level and where you live.  

The salary amounts below come from .gov and .com sites and should only be taken as rough estimates. While this article can give you a broad understanding of MPH career paths, we still encourage you to do your own research. 

Epidemiologist

• Annual salary: $75,000 - $80,000+
• Job growth (2024-2034): 16% (faster than average)
• Responsibilities: Investigating disease outbreaks, analyzing health data, and designing prevention strategies
• Degree: MPH with a concentration in Epidemiology (PhD or DrPH may be preferred for research-intensive roles)
• Match if: You are analytical and have a knack for using data to solve problems 

Health Education Specialist

• Annual salary: $63,000+
• Job growth (2024-2034): 4%  
• Responsibilities: Designing educational programs to promote health and wellness in communities
• Degree: MPH in Health Education and Promotion or Community Health
• Match if: You enjoy direct interaction and teaching others 

Dietitian  

• Annual salary: Approximately $55,000 – $74,000 (registered dietitians)
• Job growth (2024-2034): 6% (faster than average)
• Responsibilities: Providing nutrition counseling, developing dietary programs, conduct research on nutrition-related health outcomes, and promoting healthy eating habits
• Degree: MPH with a focus on Nutrition or Dietetics (often paired with Registered Dietitian certification)
• Match if: You are interested in nutrition science, counseling, and helping populations improve health through diet 

Health Policy Analyst

• Annual salary: $65,000 - $98,000  
• Job growth: N/A
• Responsibilities: Researching and developing policies to improve healthcare systems and public health laws.
• Degree: MPH with a focus on Health Policy and Management or Health Administration
• Match if: You are interested in law and policy 

Biostatistician

• Annual salary: $80,000 - $100,000+  
• Job growth: N/A
• Responsibilities: Using statistical techniques to analyze health data and support research studies
• Degree: MPH or MS in Biostatistics or a related quantitative field (advanced degrees often preferred)
• Match if: You love numbers and statistical analysis 

Environmental Health Specialist

• Annual Salary: $60,000 - $76,000+  
• Job growth (2024–2034): 4%
• Responsibilities: Assessing environmental risks, ensuring compliance with health regulations, and promoting safe environments
• Degree: MPH in Environmental Health or Occupational Health
• Match if: You are passionate about environmental issues, public health, and addressing both types of issues simultaneously to help create a healthier future 

Useful Skills for Public Health

Most MPH programs will strengthen your academic foundations in biology, statistics, sociology, psychology, and public health. But you’ll also want to develop other skills that can support your career. For example, the following skills can be especially helpful:  

• Writing: Public health professionals often write policy briefs, research papers, or grant proposals. Strong writing and communication skills — honed through liberal arts or social science courses — can help you tremendously.
• Quantitative skills: Since data analysis and research are central to public health, proficiency in statistics and research methods is highly recommended. Familiarity with software like Excel, SPSS, or R is often beneficial.
• Soft skills: Collaboration, cultural understanding, and adaptability are vital for working in diverse communities and navigating complex public health challenges. If you can lead with empathy and communicate effectively across disciplines, you’ll have mastered one of the most important aspects of this job. 

Why Public Health Professionals are in High Demand Today

Public health is crucial in today’s complicated world. With the rise of complex, interconnected health challenges such as pandemics and environmental risks, the need for experts who can translate science into action is growing. Public health professionals play a key role in promoting health and safety, and shape healthier futures for entire communities. 

Master of Public Health at Loma Linda University

Our Top MPH Degree Specializations

There’s a fairly wide range of MPH degrees out there. Here is a list of some of the best MPH degrees to get in California:

• Epidemiology, focuses on studying patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in populations.  
• Global Health, centers on health issues beyond national borders, emphasizing international health systems, policy, and disease prevention.
• Health Education and Wellness, prepares you to design and implement programs that promote healthy behaviors and prevent illness within communities.
• Nutrition, focuses on nutrition science and counseling to improve population health through dietary changes.
• Population Medicine, combines clinical medicine principles with public health to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes at the population level. 

Our Faith-Based Approach to Public Health Education

We root much of our approach to public health in Christ’s healing ministry. Whether it's working in underserved urban neighborhoods or advancing global health initiatives, your MPH journey at LLU equips you to lead with both competence and compassion. Here, faith is not an accessory — it is the foundation.

Get more info about our faith-based approach. 

Take the Next Step Toward Your MPH Career

Loma Linda University can help guide you on your educational and professional journey. Learn more about our MPH degree.  

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