Epidemiologist salary
BLS occupation: Epidemiologists · Science · data for May 2025
Median salary $87,220 a year, US
Median hourly pay $41.93 an hour
Middle half earn $71,090–$112,640 25th to 75th percentile
Epidemiologists employed 12,090 +18.7% projected by 2035
How much does an epidemiologist make?
- The median epidemiologist salary in the US is $87,220 a year ($41.93 an hour): half of the 12,090 epidemiologists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $97,890.
- The middle half earn between $71,090 and $112,640. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $61,270 and the top 10% more than $138,800.
- That is 71% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Massachusetts pays epidemiologists the most (median $115,890), followed by the District of Columbia ($112,370) and California ($110,760). Mississippi pays the least ($56,930).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Massachusetts, where the median is worth $109,581 in typical US prices, then Tennessee and Minnesota.
- In 41 of the 56 metro areas with data, the median epidemiologist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of epidemiologists to grow 18.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what epidemiologists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Epidemiologist salary range
Half of epidemiologists earn between $71,090 and $112,640 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $61,270
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $71,090
Median Yearly pay: $87,220
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $112,640
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $138,800
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $61,270 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $71,090 |
| Median | $87,220 |
| Top 25% earn over | $112,640 |
| Top 10% earn over | $138,800 |
Epidemiologist salary by state
Massachusetts pays epidemiologists the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($87,220), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 median |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 median |
| California | $110,760 median |
| New Jersey | $109,760 median |
| Washington | $108,240 median |
| Minnesota | $104,460 median |
| Illinois | $102,720 median |
| Maryland | $101,830 median |
| Nevada | $99,880 median |
| Tennessee | $97,310 median |
| Oregon | $93,620 median |
| Wisconsin | $88,770 median |
| Pennsylvania | $87,860 median |
| Michigan | $84,990 median |
| Virginia | $84,930 median |
| North Carolina | $84,770 median |
| South Carolina | $84,660 median |
| Connecticut | $83,670 median |
| Nebraska | $83,240 median |
| New York | $80,220 median |
| New Mexico | $79,980 median |
| Iowa | $79,880 median |
| Kansas | $79,620 median |
| Montana | $79,500 median |
| Florida | $79,460 median |
| Kentucky | $78,810 median |
| Indiana | $77,250 median |
| Texas | $77,170 median |
| Utah | $76,960 median |
| Hawaii | $76,780 median |
| Ohio | $76,480 median |
| Alabama | $74,740 median |
| Louisiana | $73,850 median |
| Colorado | $73,750 median |
| Oklahoma | $72,590 median |
| Georgia | $70,880 median |
| West Virginia | $70,540 median |
| Maine | $68,850 median |
| Arizona | $67,260 median |
| Missouri | $66,890 median |
| Idaho | $66,280 median |
| Mississippi | $56,930 median |
Where epidemiologist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Epidemiologists' pay goes furthest in Massachusetts once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $109,581 |
| Tennessee | $105,921 |
| Minnesota | $105,921 |
| Illinois | $102,763 |
| District of Columbia | $102,247 |
| Washington | $101,147 |
| New Jersey | $100,878 |
| California | $100,036 |
| Nevada | $99,901 |
| Maryland | $97,019 |
Epidemiologist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 | $55.72 | $81,380 | $212,890 | 660 | $109,581 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 | $54.02 | $63,580 | $168,970 | 90 | $102,247 |
| California | $110,760 | $53.25 | $71,910 | $168,220 | 1,480 | $100,036 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 | $52.77 | $71,360 | $162,460 | 290 | $100,878 |
| Washington | $108,240 | $52.04 | $82,980 | $159,730 | 1,010 | $101,147 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 | $50.22 | $79,000 | $124,300 | 310 | $105,921 |
| Illinois | $102,720 | $49.38 | $65,570 | $138,800 | 240 | $102,763 |
| Maryland | $101,830 | $48.96 | $74,120 | $132,630 | 600 | $97,019 |
| Nevada | $99,880 | $48.02 | $51,590 | $187,680 | 80 | $99,901 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 | $46.78 | $75,080 | $137,580 | 220 | $105,921 |
| Oregon | $93,620 | $45.01 | $77,320 | $126,950 | 140 | $90,576 |
| Wisconsin | $88,770 | $42.68 | $79,670 | $213,570 | 90 | $94,341 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,860 | $42.24 | $64,600 | $134,890 | 360 | $90,046 |
| Michigan | $84,990 | $40.86 | $52,910 | $112,900 | 280 | $88,332 |
| Virginia | $84,930 | $40.83 | $59,870 | $121,580 | 220 | $84,003 |
| North Carolina | $84,770 | $40.75 | $56,470 | $168,550 | 220 | $89,869 |
| South Carolina | $84,660 | $40.70 | $56,200 | $105,330 | 50 | $90,305 |
| Connecticut | $83,670 | $40.23 | $64,140 | $117,210 | 160 | $80,755 |
| Nebraska | $83,240 | $40.02 | $64,200 | $105,190 | 80 | $92,383 |
| New York | $80,220 | $38.57 | $67,600 | $164,900 | 670 | $74,332 |
| New Mexico | $79,980 | $38.45 | $71,200 | $102,390 | 80 | $86,735 |
| Iowa | $79,880 | $38.40 | $48,080 | $108,210 | 90 | $91,019 |
| Kansas | $79,620 | $38.28 | $60,200 | $97,820 | 70 | $88,400 |
| Montana | $79,500 | $38.22 | $55,090 | $93,880 | 100 | $83,998 |
| Florida | $79,460 | $38.20 | $57,500 | $129,930 | 300 | $76,837 |
| Kentucky | $78,810 | $37.89 | $58,010 | $96,150 | 120 | $87,412 |
| Indiana | $77,250 | $37.14 | $64,830 | $103,650 | 170 | $82,772 |
| Texas | $77,170 | $37.10 | $59,860 | $113,790 | 1,160 | $79,510 |
| Utah | $76,960 | $37.00 | $53,140 | $119,250 | 190 | $77,844 |
| Hawaii | $76,780 | $36.91 | $58,290 | $109,300 | 70 | $69,831 |
| Ohio | $76,480 | $36.77 | $54,410 | $130,560 | 300 | $82,437 |
| Alabama | $74,740 | $35.93 | $47,830 | $106,590 | 70 | $84,145 |
| Louisiana | $73,850 | $35.50 | $49,740 | $105,240 | 120 | $83,724 |
| Colorado | $73,750 | $35.46 | $63,440 | $100,870 | 430 | $71,566 |
| Oklahoma | $72,590 | $34.90 | $55,130 | $103,790 | 120 | $82,636 |
| Georgia | $70,880 | $34.08 | $49,040 | $114,790 | 510 | $73,609 |
| West Virginia | $70,540 | $33.91 | $49,070 | $92,610 | 100 | $78,818 |
| Maine | $68,850 | $33.10 | $52,000 | $84,760 | 60 | $70,943 |
| Arizona | $67,260 | $32.34 | $48,010 | $85,800 | 340 | $66,808 |
| Missouri | $66,890 | $32.16 | $54,410 | $95,730 | 120 | $73,654 |
| Idaho | $66,280 | $31.87 | $60,710 | $141,240 | 40 | $69,408 |
| Mississippi | $56,930 | $27.37 | $46,450 | $98,870 | 40 | $65,472 |
BLS does not publish pay for epidemiologists in 9 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Epidemiologist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes epidemiologist pay: 56 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $130,400
- San Diego, CA $125,320
- Seattle, WA $123,970
- Boston, MA $115,890
- Washington, DC $112,780
- Sacramento, CA $111,960
- Olympia, WA $108,240
- Trenton, NJ $105,930
- Providence, RI $105,850
- Las Vegas, NV $105,670
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Francisco, CA $112,790
- San Diego, CA $112,006
- Seattle, WA $111,551
- Boston, MA $107,042
- Las Vegas, NV $105,443
- Sacramento, CA $104,959
- Albany, NY $104,765
- Olympia, WA $104,408
- Providence, RI $104,006
- Washington, DC $103,578
All 56 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $130,400 | 320 | $112,790 | 32% |
| San Diego, CA | $125,320 | 160 | $112,006 | 28% |
| Seattle, WA | $123,970 | 580 | $111,551 | 22% |
| Boston, MA | $115,890 | 620 | $107,042 | 31% |
| Washington, DC | $112,780 | 380 | $103,578 | 26% |
| Sacramento, CA | $111,960 | 260 | $104,959 | 24% |
| Olympia, WA | $108,240 | 330 | $104,408 | 23% |
| Trenton, NJ | $105,930 | 110 | $102,665 | 29% |
| Providence, RI | $105,850 | – | $104,006 | 25% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $105,670 | 50 | $105,443 | 20% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $105,400 | 380 | $92,809 | 33% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $104,460 | 290 | $99,655 | 20% |
| Albany, NY | $104,310 | 70 | $104,765 | 19% |
| Chicago, IL | $103,780 | 210 | $100,179 | 25% |
| New York, NY | $98,340 | 400 | $87,364 | 43% |
| Portland, OR | $98,110 | 100 | $93,065 | 22% |
| Detroit, MI | $97,290 | 40 | $97,001 | 19% |
| Tampa, FL | $97,250 | 60 | $96,392 | 25% |
| Baltimore, MD | $94,690 | 290 | $90,624 | 25% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $91,800 | 60 | $96,967 | 19% |
| Hartford, CT | $90,320 | 140 | $87,906 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $88,770 | 40 | $91,245 | 24% |
| Miami, FL | $85,170 | 80 | $74,609 | 37% |
| Raleigh, NC | $84,770 | 70 | $86,362 | 24% |
| Helena, MT | $84,290 | 30 | $88,100 | 23% |
| Des Moines, IA | $83,650 | 30 | $91,220 | 18% |
| Durham, NC | $82,990 | 70 | $85,055 | 24% |
| Richmond, VA | $82,460 | 100 | $84,265 | 25% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $81,570 | 190 | $79,539 | 28% |
| New Orleans, LA | $81,240 | 50 | $87,735 | 23% |
| Columbus, OH | $80,980 | 100 | $84,823 | 23% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,980 | 40 | $83,708 | 22% |
| Kansas City, MO | $79,620 | 50 | $86,036 | 23% |
| Dallas, TX | $79,450 | 260 | $77,069 | 25% |
| Lexington, KY | $78,700 | 40 | $84,725 | 24% |
| Riverside, CA | $78,350 | 90 | $73,608 | 39% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $78,000 | – | $77,329 | 25% |
| Houston, TX | $77,170 | 290 | $78,243 | 25% |
| Honolulu, HI | $76,780 | 60 | $69,195 | 47% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $74,330 | 100 | $77,673 | 25% |
| Lincoln, NE | $73,060 | 40 | $79,776 | 21% |
| San Antonio, TX | $72,800 | 110 | $76,861 | 23% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $72,590 | 70 | $80,292 | 23% |
| Denver, CO | $72,410 | 370 | $68,452 | 31% |
| Atlanta, GA | $70,880 | 370 | $70,839 | 31% |
| Montgomery, AL | $70,710 | 40 | $78,845 | 23% |
| Austin, TX | $69,380 | 260 | $70,748 | 28% |
| Charlotte, NC | $68,100 | 40 | $69,955 | 31% |
| Lansing, MI | $67,830 | – | $71,407 | 23% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $67,260 | 250 | $65,101 | 31% |
| St. Louis, MO | $67,010 | 40 | $70,472 | 26% |
| Portland, ME | $65,950 | 40 | $64,747 | 42% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $64,770 | 50 | $64,205 | 36% |
| Fresno, CA | $63,840 | 40 | $62,491 | 39% |
| McAllen, TX | $59,860 | 30 | $69,690 | 22% |
| Tucson, AZ | $54,490 | 60 | $56,236 | 33% |
What the median epidemiologist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $87,220 |
| Month | $7,268 |
| Every two weeks | $3,355 |
| Week | $1,677 |
| Hour | $41.93 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an epidemiologist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +18.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 800 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Environmental scientist | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| Geologist | $101,920 | Bachelor's degree |
| Forensic science technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree |
| School psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree |
| Nuclear technician | $110,240 | Associate's degree |
Questions about epidemiologist pay
How much does an epidemiologist make an hour?
The median is $41.93 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29.46 and the top 10% over $66.73.
How much does an epidemiologist make a month?
About $7,268 a month before taxes at the median salary of $87,220, or $3,355 every two weeks.
What state pays epidemiologists the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $115,890. The District of Columbia ($112,370), California ($110,760), New Jersey ($109,760) and Washington ($108,240) follow.
Where do epidemiologists make the most after cost of living?
Massachusetts: its median of $115,890 is worth $109,581 at typical US prices. Tennessee, Minnesota and Illinois come next.
How much do entry-level epidemiologists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of epidemiologists earn under $61,270 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $71,090, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an epidemiologist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 19-1041 (Epidemiologists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.