How much does an Epidemiologist make?
The median pay for an Epidemiologist in the United States is $87,220 per year — about $41.93 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $61,270, while the most experienced Epidemiologists in the top 10% earn $138,800.
That is $25,830 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Epidemiologist salary range by percentile
Half of all Epidemiologists earn between $71,090 and $112,640 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,270 | $29.46 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $71,090 | $34.18 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,220 | $41.93 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $112,640 | $54.15 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,800 | $66.73 |
Highest-paying states for Epidemiologist
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Massachusetts leads the country for Epidemiologist pay at $115,890 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($112,370) and California ($110,760). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $56,930 — a gap of $58,960 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $115,890 | $55.72 | +33% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $112,370 | $54.02 | +29% |
| 3 | California | $110,760 | $53.25 | +27% |
| 4 | New Jersey | $109,760 | $52.77 | +26% |
| 5 | Washington | $108,240 | $52.04 | +24% |
Epidemiologist salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 42 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 12,000 people work as Epidemiologists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $97,890 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Epidemiologist make in the United States?
How does Epidemiologist pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Epidemiologists the most?
How long does it take to become an Epidemiologist?
How many Epidemiologists work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other science roles with similar pay.