Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Epidemiologist
What epidemiologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an epidemiologist?
Review surveillance data. From there, the day usually includes track disease data, investigate outbreaks, and design studies. Full time, with surges during outbreaks.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an epidemiologist working full time.
- Review surveillance data.
- Investigate a foodborne cluster.
- Interview a patient.
- Analyze case data in R.
- Brief the health officer.
- Write a health alert.
- Update a dashboard.
Where epidemiologists work
Epidemiologists work in health department offices, hospitals, labs and in the field.
Hours and schedule
Full time, with surges during outbreaks.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Track disease data
- Investigate outbreaks
- Design studies
- Analyze data
- Write reports
- Advise leaders
- Educate the public
Tools you’ll use every day
- R
- SAS
- Epi Info
- GIS
- REDCap
- Dashboards
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Much faster-than-average growth
- Protect communities
- Data and fieldwork
- Public sector benefits
What’s hard
- Outbreak surges
- Public scrutiny
- Government pay limits
- Grad degree needed
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like solving mysteries
- I like data
- I want to protect public health
- I stay calm in crises
- I communicate well
- I’m willing to earn an MPH
Not sure? Take the free Epidemiologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Protect patient privacy
- Use PPE in field work
- Follow lab biosafety
- Follow reporting laws