Epidemiologist Salary: What You Can Earn and How to Qualify

Salaries for an epidemiologist vary depending on the type of employment. As an epidemiologist, you can work for government agencies, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) or the private sector. To qualify for a career in epidemiology, you’ll usually need to complete a bachelor's degree program and obtain a master’s degree. Some entry-level positions may be available with a bachelor’s degree, but a graduate degree is often the minimum required.

Explore this dynamic career and data about the average epidemiologist's salary in more detail to chart your career path.

What does an epidemiologist do?

Epidemiologists are health professionals who study human diseases and disease outbreaks and how they spread. They use this information to find ways to treat diseases and stop their spread.

An epidemiologist also:

• Studies the causes of diseases and other health threats

• Collects and analyzes data related to public health  

• Researches disease trends in specific demographics

• Oversees public health initiatives

How much do epidemiologists make?

According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, the median hourly salary for epidemiologists in Canada is $47.60 CAD, which is roughly $99,008 CAD annually [1]. 

Other leading salary websites report the average epidemiologist base salary ranging from roughly $79,000 CAD to $94,000 CAD. Here they are broken down:

However, the precise amount your employer offers you will depend on various factors, including your education, specialty, and location. 

Factors affecting salary

There is a wide range of salaries you can earn as an epidemiologist. Several factors influence your salary, including your level of education, the professional certifications you hold, and how many years of experience you have as an epidemiologist. Your employer, industry, and location can also affect your salary.

Education and specialty

A master’s degree is usually the minimum educational requirement to become an epidemiologist. According to a Frontiers in Public Health 2023 analysis of Canadian job postings, roughly 66 percent of jobs required a master’s degree in epidemiology or public health, and another 20 percent preferred a master’s degree in applicants [6]. 

Some epidemiologists hold doctorate degrees, which typically qualify you for a higher salary. During your academic training, you can specialize in a specific area of epidemiology, affecting the coursework you'll take, whether or not you'll need a doctorate and your salary.

Types of epidemiologists

Take a look at some of the types of epidemiologists and the average annual salary for each:

Epidemiology manager: $80,874 CAD [7]

Clinical epidemiologist: $82,203 CAD [8]

Certifications

A career in epidemiology does not require certification or licensing. However, receiving optional actuary certification can often increase your chances of getting a new position or working with employers that offer a higher salary. 

For example, Infection and Prevention Control Canada offers a certification in infection control, which gives you career-ready skills, especially if you want to work in acute care settings. 

Level of experience

Many epidemiologist positions require the applicant to have work experience. This type of experience can be through completing an internship, residency, or employment. Glassdoor breaks down the estimated salaries by experience level as follows [2]:

• Entry level (0-1 year): $78,764 CAD

• Mid-level (4-6 years): $82,231 CAD

• Senior level (10-14 years): $105,111 CAD

Employer and industry

The industry you choose to work in is an essential factor affecting your salary. Epidemiologists who work for private corporations and services may be able to make a higher salary than those who work for provincial governments. Though, that is not always the case.

Here’s a look at some estimated median salaries based on different employers and industries, per Glassdoor [2]:

• Public Health Agency of Canada: $85,000 CAD

• Public Health Ontario: $80,000 CAD

• Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences: $70,000 CAD

• BC Centre for Disease Control: Fraser Health: $69,000 CAD

Location

According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, the median hourly wages for epidemiologists in Canada range from $28.21 CAD on the low end to $73.33 CAD on the high end [1]. However, where you live can impact your earnings. Here’s a look at how median wages compare to in different regions of the country:

• British Columbia: $48.08 CAD per hour ($100,006 CAD annually)

• Alberta: $44.39 CAD per hour ($92,331 CAD annually)

• Manitoba: $43.28 CAD per hour ($90,022 CAD annually)

• Ontario: $46.15 CAD per hour ($95,992 CAD annually)

• Quebec: $49.45 CAD per hour ($102,856 CAD annually)

• Nova Scotia: $45.67 CAD per hour ($94,994 CAD annually) 

Professional development

As an epidemiologist, you’ll benefit from attending workshops and joining professional organizations to keep current with changes and emerging public health threats. You can complete a PhD program in your desired field if you seek career advancement. You’ll also want to keep current with the studies, publications, and training manuals. If you decide to pursue certification or licensure, keep your credentials current by meeting the requirements regularly.

Begin your epidemiologist career journey on Coursera.

Working in epidemiology and public health can be professionally and financially rewarding. Learn more about a career in epidemiology by enrolling in Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health offered by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Coursera. This course provides an overview of the field of epidemiology, explaining its history and measures of disease frequency.

You might also begin your journey with Imperial College London's Epidemiology for Public Health Specialization. This three-course series takes approximately one month to complete and is designed to help you develop the skills to conduct and critically assess research in epidemiology.