The median annual wage for epidemiologists was $69,450 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,130, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $114,550.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for epidemiologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
$91,900
General medical and surgical hospitals; private
77,460
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
68,180
State government, excluding education and hospitals
64,350
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
62,980
Most epidemiologists work full time and have a standard work schedule. Occasionally, epidemiologists may have to work long or irregular hours in order to complete fieldwork or tend to duties during public health emergencies.
Epidemiologists
Median annual wages, May 2015
Life scientists
$72,090
Epidemiologists
$69,450
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics