Epidemiologist Salary: What You Can Earn and How

An epidemiologist's salary varies depending on the type of employment, but according to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), the average pay for a Epidemiologist is £69,199 in London, United Kingdom. The median salary range for a Epidemiologist is between £47,816 and £84,353 [1]. Non-government positions exist, but you’ll often find more government jobs than private ones. For example, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) hires many epidemiologists.

To qualify for a career in epidemiology, you’ll usually need a postgraduate degree in a related subject such as public health. Though rare, if you don’t have a postgraduate degree, you may find entry into this profession through entry-level positions in public health as you progress in your studies. Discover the qualifications necessary to become an epidemiologist, the salary averages, and the difference in earnings while working for government or private companies.

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 analyses data related to public health  

• Researches disease trends in specific demographics

• Supervises other health care professionals

How much do epidemiologists make?

As previously mentioned, the average pay for a Epidemiologist is £69,199 in London, United Kingdom, according to the Economic Research Institute (ERI). The median salary range for a Epidemiologist is between £47,816 and £84,353. The data compensation analysis comes from a collection of salary survey data in London, United Kingdom. ERI's compensation information is based on employer-reported data collected from various ERI salary surveys [1].

Factors affecting salary

The salary of an epidemiologist varies widely based on several factors that can influence your earnings. These factors often include your education level, certifications, and years of professional experience. The employer you work for, the industry in which you work, and your location can also affect your salary.

Education and speciality

A master’s degree is usually the minimum educational requirement for becoming an epidemiologist. Employers typically look for a degree in epidemiology; however, they sometimes accept subjects such as public health, statistical science, or biological science. You could also pursue a doctorate, which typically qualifies you for positions in this field's academic research and other sectors. During your academic training, you can specialise in a specific area of epidemiology, such as bioterrorism or infection control.

Types of epidemiologists

Take a look at some of the types of jobs related to epidemiology, along with their average base salaries:

• Infection preventionist: £38,795 [2]

• Chronic disease epidemiologist: £53,185 [3]

• Field epidemiologist: £58,695 [4]

• Research scientist: £47,289 [5]

• Biostatistician: £59,350 [6]

Qualifications and specialised training programmes

A career in epidemiology does not require certification; however, you might need to receive certain qualifications or specialised training for specific roles within this field. For example, if you want to work as a consultant epidemiologist, you must register with the GMC Specialist Register or the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR). 

If you already have some experience in epidemiology and want to transition into a role like a field epidemiologist, consider enrolling in the UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme (UKFETP), a training programme designed to develop the specialised skills you’ll need to work as a field epidemiologist. 

Some professional organisations offer specialised training courses to members. Becoming a member of one of these organisations, like the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) or the International Epidemiological Association (IEA), has many advantages. You can engage in networking events, stay up to date on the latest research and news in the field, build your skills, and add your membership to your CV for an added boost of credibility. 

You can also find several certificate programs available through certain universities: 

• Postgraduate Certificate in Infectious Diseases, University of London

• Postgraduate Certificate in Epidemiology, University of London

• PG Cert Infection Control, University of Essex Online 

Programme length, entry requirements, and other details will vary. 

Level of experience

Many epidemiologist positions require the applicant to have work experience, and typically, the amount of time you spend working in this field can impact your salary. For example, an entry to junior level makes a median total salary range of £39,959 to upwards of £50,000+, according to NHS Pay Calculator for Epidemiologists. On the other hand, a senior epidemiologist earns a median annual salary of £49,387 to £56,515 [7].

Employer and industry

Your industry is an essential factor affecting an epidemiologist's salary. Epidemiologists may have differing salaries, depending on the employer and specialism. Take a look at the following:

• Clinical Research Scientist: £45,766 per year. [8]

• Life & Physical Scientist: £61,673 per year. [8]

• Consultant Level (Public Health Medicine/Consultant Epidemiologist): £99,532 – £139,000 per year. [9]

Education roles may also pay more.  For example, a professor of epidemiology earns a median total salary of £77,350 per year, typically above the average of other epidemiologists [10]. 

Epidemiologists are often employed by the NHS, government agencies like the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), universities, research institutions, and global pharmaceutical companies. Other agencies throughout the UK that might hire you are the Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland, Public Health Scotland, and Public Health Wales.

According to Glassdoor, some employers hiring epidemiologists include the UK Health Security Agency, GlobalData, Public Health England, NHS, Imperial College London, and Oxford University.  

Location

Where you live and work can affect how much you earn as an epidemiologist. Working in larger cities yields a higher income. London, for example, boasts average annual earnings for epidemiologists is £51,792 [11]. If you want to earn more as an epidemiologist, consider moving to a bigger city or more populated area. 

Other cities where epidemiologists may earn more include [11]:

• Cardiff: £89,614

• Leeds: £68,141

• Newcastle upon Tyne: £55,656

• Oxford: £45,017

• Weybridge: £61,139

Professional development

As an epidemiologist, you’ll benefit from attending workshops and joining professional organisations to keep current with changes and emerging public health threats. You can complete a PhD programme in your desired field if you seek career advancement. You’ll also want to keep current by attending and presenting at national conferences, publishing in journals, and gaining membership in the International Epidemiological Association (IEA), allowing you to network.

Build relevant epidemiologist skills and knowledge on Coursera

Epidemiologists are essential to the public’s health and safety, and working in epidemiology and public health can be professionally and financially rewarding. Before committing to an educational programme, consider exploring an online course like Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health, offered by the University of North Carolina, or the Epidemiology for Public Health Specialisation from Imperial College London. You’ll find these programmes and others to help build your foundational knowledge and skill set on Coursera.