Data-Focused Public Health Career Paths

Careers in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) program from Tufts University School of Medicine approaches public health from a data-driven perspective. The program has a built-in concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, positioning you for public health careers collecting and analyzing data to help inform the development of programs and/or policies.

Graduates of Tufts’ on-campus MPH program with this concentration hold a variety of public health jobs in this field, including consultant, data science and insights lead, director of analytics, epidemiologist, healthcare data analyst, and research associate.1

Epidemiology Careers

Epidemiologists are professionals with a master’s degree, usually an MPH,2 who analyze patterns of disease and search for causes in order to decrease or prevent negative public health outcomes at the population level.

Professionals in epidemiology careers may conduct research, design studies, be involved in community education, and share their findings to advocate for change in health policy. Some of their responsibilities may include the following:

  • Conduct surveillance and monitor trends in disease patterns to pinpoint public health recommendations, actions, and treatments that can be repeated across the population.
  • Acquire and analyze observational data, interviews, surveys, and biological samples to find the causes of health problems.
  • Manage public health programs by monitoring their progress, analyzing data, and suggesting improvements.
  • Communicate research findings to health practitioners, policymakers, and the community to improve public health outcomes.

Epidemiology Job Outlook and Salary

The demand and salary for epidemiology jobs vary based on a number of factors, including location and sector. Epidemiology jobs and public health programs run by nonprofits and government agencies may be dependent on grants and public funding.

Epidemiologist Job Settings

Epidemiology careers can be found in the public, private, nonprofit, and educational sectors. These professionals might work for state and local governments, universities, federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or National Institutes of Health (NIH), or private organizations such as health insurance or pharmaceutical companies.3

$69,660

Median annual wage in
May 2018

+5%

Projected job growth from 2018–2028

Take the Next Step Toward a Data-Focused Public Health Career

Learn more about how Tufts’ online MPH program prepares you with the analytical skills
to make a difference in community health on a local, national, and global scale.

Biostatistics Careers

Biostatisticians apply statistical techniques and analysis to topics in biology to help solve public health challenges, such as disease outbreak or environmental impact on health.

Professionals in biostatistics careers will create surveys and experiments, design studies, and use statistical techniques and software. Some of their responsibilities may include the following:

  • Determine what problems or questions to study and how to collect the needed data.
  • Design studies, apply quantitative methods, and analyze data sets for the purpose of identifying the sources of disease outbreaks or test the success of certain drugs.
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts such as engineers, biologists, and medical professionals.
  • Report research results to the scientific community, which can result in the development of new methods or software for future studies.

Biostatistics Job Outlook and Salary

The demand and salary for biostatistics jobs vary based on a number of factors, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth for statisticians based on increased use of statistical analysis to make evidence-based healthcare decisions.4

Statistician Job Settings

Statisticians focused on public health might work in a variety of settings, such as government agencies, healthcare organizations, research and development companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical centers, and public health agencies.5

$87,780

Median annual wage in
May 2018

+31%

Projected job growth from 2018–2028

Pursue a Career in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Tufts’ data-focused online MPH program will prepare you for a career applying analytical
methodologies to improve public health policy and practice. Learn more today.

1 Based on class of 2018 graduates from Tufts University School of Medicine’s on-campus MPH program who reported outcomes ↑
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become an Epidemiologist (accessed February 2020) ↑
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Epidemiologists (accessed February 2020) ↑
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mathematicians and Statisticians Job Outlook (accessed February 2020) ↑
5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mathematicians and Statisticians (accessed February 2020) ↑