Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire an Epidemiologist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring epidemiologists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $87,220), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify CPH where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for epidemiologists
There are about 12,800 epidemiologists employed in the U.S., with roughly 800 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +18.7% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $61,270–$71,090 | $29.46–$34.18 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $87,220 | $41.93 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $112,640 | $54.15 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $138,800 | $66.73 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Master's degree (typical entry level)
- Epidemiologic methods
- Curiosity
Nice-to-haves
- CPH
- CIC
- CDC EIS
- Experience with r
Where to find epidemiologists
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Public Health Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, Disease Investigator, Field Epidemiologist
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Describe an investigation.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “What software do you use?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
3. “Explain incidence and prevalence.”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you communicate risk?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
5. “Why public health?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Investigate a Foodborne Outbreak (see the steps)
- Build an Epidemic Curve (see the steps)
- Write a Public Health Alert (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Incidence, Prevalence, Outbreak
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Epidemiologist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Epidemiologist training. Show them the path forward: Epidemiologist I → Epidemiologist → Senior Epidemiologist → State Epidemiologist.
Hiring epidemiologists: FAQ
How much should I pay an epidemiologist?
The U.S. median wage for epidemiologists is $87,220 per year ($41.93/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($71,090), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($112,640). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an epidemiologist have?
BLS lists “master's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for CPH and CIC where relevant, plus skills such as epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, and outbreak investigation.
How long does it take to train a new epidemiologist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2 years after a bachelor’s. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”