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Epidemiology Roles in Government Agencies: Making an Impact at the CDC, NIH, and WHO

Public health professionals protect the health and well-being of entire communities. Many work for state or local health departments, drawing from their expertise to promote research-backed preventative efforts or coordinate effective responses to emerging crises. Many others work in the private sector, uncovering opportunities in hospitals or consulting firms. This is only beginning, and those with a desire to exert widespread influence can look to federal agencies for additional opportunities.

Working for federal or global agencies represents one of the most impactful applications of epidemiological expertise.. In these roles, epidemiologists have the chance to shape public health on a broad level — influencing research, community engagement, and even policy development. Read on as we highlight a few of the most meaningful jobs in public health, revealing how epidemiologists make their mark while working with some of today's most recognizable government agencies.

The Growing Demand for Public Health Government Jobs

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) paints a promising picture for the future of epidemiology, at least from an occupational perspective: Between 2023 and 2033, the job outlook for epidemiology is projected to grow 19%. This greatly exceeds the average outlook calculated across all occupations of just 4%.

Speculating on the reasons for this significant demand, BLS experts underscore the "enhancements in healthcare technology [that] permit the discovery of new and emerging diseases." These potential discoveries, although exciting, demand the expertise of thoroughly trained epidemiologists and other public health professionals.

While the BLS indicates that budgetary constraints can impact public-sector epidemiology roles — and that these roles will become more prominent in healthcare as hospitals begin to join the National Healthcare Safety Network — the majority of epidemiology jobs continue to involve the public sector, with many epidemiologists working for state or local health departments.

That being said, federal roles (though less abundant) can be deeply gratifying, offering epidemiologists the chance to extend their impact to vast populations. Below, we outline several of the most promising federal government roles and the agencies they involve, along with which types of epidemiologists might be drawn to these various opportunities.

CDC Epidemiology Careers and Opportunities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an influential government agency tasked with advocating for public health at the federal level. Because this agency focuses on addressing wide-scale public health challenges, it is a major employer in the epidemiology realm. It offers a range of compelling opportunities to track and analyze outbreaks as well as help develop strategies for dealing with emerging health concerns.

CDC epidemiologists can be found in diverse settings, although many operate out of the agency's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Others may be dispatched to regions dealing with active outbreaks. Many strive to maintain active relationships between local health departments and federal agencies.

Key Job Roles

Epidemiologists comprise a significant share of the modern CDC workforce. The CDC offers numerous roles and even training programs for ambitious professionals, who may use these opportunities as a launching point to help them pursue higher-level positions in other agencies.

  • Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officers. The CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) involves a post-doctoral training program, designed to help epidemiologists function as true "disease detectives." Upon completing this program, epidemiologists are eligible for the role of EIS officer, helping develop rapid (and often highly creative) solutions to emerging health crises.
  • Career Epidemiology Field Officers (CEFOs). Tasked with strengthening "state, tribal, local, and territorial epidemiology capacity for public health preparedness and response," CEFOs are mid- or senior-level epidemiologists with a wealth of experience in health monitoring and outbreak investigations. To qualify for this role, aspiring CEFOs must complete EIS training. From there, they can join a robust CEFO national network and leverage their expertise to enhance surveillance systems or assist emergency response teams.

Training Pathways and Entry Points

In addition to the training programs outlined above, the CDC offers fellowship opportunities that help epidemiologists expand on their graduate-level training and develop specialized expertise. For example, the Prevention Effectiveness (PE) Fellowship emphasizes decision modeling and quantitative policy analysis, encouraging fellows to evaluate the impact of various public health interventions.

Those with epidemiological training may also pursue opportunities involving the Laboratory Leadership Service (LLS), which focuses on bioinformatics and biosafety but is also closely aligned with the EIS program to support interdisciplinary practice. The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) uses EIS as a model but brings the concept of the "disease detective" to a global community, developing in-country capacities to respond to a range of public health threats.

CDC Epidemiologist Salary and Benefits

While the BLS does not provide specific salary information for CDC epidemiology jobs, insights from Indeed indicate an average salary of $110,676 among CDC epidemiologists. Similarly, data gathered by Glassdoor suggests that epidemiologists employed by the CDC can expect to earn anywhere from $83,000 to $120,000 per year. Like many federal agencies, the CDC offers robust benefits for full-time professionals, including paid holidays and family-friendly leave policies.

Epidemiology Careers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducts scientific research and is credited with some of the most transformative public health breakthroughs of our time. Consisting of dozens of different institutes and centers that specialize in diverse areas of biomedical research, the NIH fuels the knowledge-seeking efforts needed to determine the causes of — and potential cures for — a variety of diseases and conditions.

Key Job Roles

Ideal for research-focused individuals who hope to contribute to the quickly growing epidemiological body of knowledge, NIH public health research jobs may emphasize study design, with researchers closely involved in selecting and implementing relevant methodologies. This ultimately yields the evidence that underscores impactful public health initiatives while also enhancing our overall understanding of disease transmission, prevention, and control.

  • Research Epidemiologists. Involved in recruiting study participants, collecting data, and interpreting findings, NIH-employed research epidemiologists may specialize in critical public health concerns, from genetic epidemiology to environmental health and beyond. Many are involved in the NIH's Intramural Research Program (IRP), working at campuses across the nation to conduct innovative studies that address some of the most persistent and potentially impactful questions surrounding both the spread of disease and public responses. Aligned with specific centers or institutes, Principal Investigators (PIs) can be found in global clinics and laboratories, where they demonstrate a clear commitment to "advancing the state of biomedical science."
  • Program Officers. Epidemiologists drawn to leadership opportunities may eventually take on research-oriented management responsibilities as NIH program officers. Overseeing grant portfolios, these high-level professionals play a valuable role in shaping the overall direction of NIH research. This could encompass everything from funding management to scientific guidance, but it nearly always involves some element of ongoing research monitoring.
  • Data Scientists and Analysts. NIH-employed data scientists handle considerable amounts of data, using statistical modeling and machine learning to extract critical insights regarding the distribution or determinants of disease. They may also be involved in developing the pipelines and platforms that allow for the efficient storage and processing of sizable data sets. Those with epidemiological training may work for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which has highlighted the value of data science for "accelerating infectious and immune-mediated disease research."

Professional Development Opportunities

While a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree can provide an excellent foundation for aspiring public sector epidemiologists, the NIH offers multiple opportunities for these professionals to continue honing their skills while supporting the critical mission of this research-focused agency. Postdoctoral research fellowships, for instance, encourage passionate research epidemiologists to conduct research under the supervision of experienced investigators.

With the NIH, research fellowship applications are evaluated by various study sections, which conduct rigorous assessments to verify scientific merit. The F18 study section centers on "Epidemiology and Population Sciences," with applicants potentially getting the chance to study the "distribution and determinants of health-related … events at the population level" while exploring factors such as "psychological, social, and cultural processes, behavioral genetics, environmental conditions … or health policies."

Global Careers in Epidemiology at the World Health Organization (WHO)

The CDC and NIH provide excellent opportunities to shape public health at the federal level, but it is possible to further expand this influence, with some master’s in public health jobs taking on a global perspective. These roles often involve the World Health Organization (WHO), a trusted United Nations agency with a mandate to prevent and respond to outbreaks while protecting vulnerable populations worldwide.

Key Job Roles

With diverse opportunities ranging from health monitoring and surveillance to emergency response and public advocacy, the WHO offers numerous ways for globally-minded epidemiologists to leverage their advanced skills. Potential careers in epidemiology might include:

  • Health Emergency Officers. As part of WHO's Health Emergency Programme, health emergency officers coordinate disaster preparedness and response efforts. As the WHO explains, this involves "build[ing] core public health and health system capacities that reduce the health risks and consequences of all types of emergencies." Health emergency officers promote resilience by collaborating with international partners to boost emergency response systems and developing global strategies to prevent or control dangerous outbreaks.
  • Technical Officers in Surveillance. Focused on early detection, technical officers are involved in risk assessments — supporting efforts to gather, organize, and analyze epidemiological data on a global scale. They may help develop surveillance systems or offer guidance to government entities as they seek to improve their health information systems on a national scale.
  • Program Officer. Supporting the use of epidemiological evidence in decision-making, WHO program officers share some responsibilities with the NIH officers highlighted above but play a greater role in advocacy, along with handling administrative essentials related to funding or resource allocation. This calls for a thorough understanding of WHO administrative requirements, plus coordination skills and strategic oversight to ensure that regional public health program efforts align with global health priorities.

Requirements and Skills

Global epidemiologists leverage diverse skill sets that extend beyond study design and statistical analysis to include competencies such as logistical planning and diplomacy. Cultural awareness is a must, amplified by cross-cultural communication skills — including, ideally, at least a moderate understanding of WHO languages such as French. Minimum qualifications for WHO epidemiology jobs include graduate-level credentials along with targeted training from programs such as EIS or FETPs.

Why Choose WHO?

The World Health Organization brings a global element to epidemiology, ideal for visionaries who hope to help shape global strategies for preventing or responding to outbreaks. This is also an excellent opportunity for those who understand diverse cultural perspectives and enjoy leveraging this understanding to cross barriers and usher in widespread change.

Salary Comparison and Outlook in Public Health Careers

Epidemiologists earn competitive wages that vary by specialization and work setting. Private sector roles may promise higher salaries; the BLS epidemiology subcategory "scientific research and development services," for example, reached median annual earnings of $130,390 as of 2024.

Outlook can also vary between agencies or specializations, especially given the differing political and budgetary commitments to epidemiology and public health. Fluctuations may emerge based on current health challenges, too; for instance, during the COVID-19 outbreak, the CDC hired many epidemiologists to help meet increased surveillance demands. The BLS does not break down differences in outlook between specializations but acknowledges that, in general, this is expected to increase substantially across the field.

Skills and Preparation Needed for a Career in Government Epidemiology

Different epidemiological specializations or roles may call for unique competencies, but in general, public-sector epidemiologists draw from a shared skill set that blends technical, data-driven abilities and soft skills such as communication or collaboration. Essentials include:

  • Quantitative Analysis. Epidemiologists use advanced statistical tools and techniques to interpret sizable data sets, which may include information from diverse sources such as surveys, registries, or electronic health records (EHRs). From regression to variance analysis and nonparametric techniques, many tools or frameworks can uncover risk factors or other patterns.
  • Study Design and Research Methods. Study design forms the basis for credible research, with epidemiologists strategically selecting methodologies (such as cohort or cross-sectional studies) before defining variables or data collection methods. Aspiring government epidemiologists should embrace research opportunities while also exploring the ethical concerns that shape modern research initiatives.
  • Communication Skills. Communication is at the heart of epidemiology, capable of driving positive public health outcomes. Epidemiologists must be able to convey complex public health information in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. As mentioned previously, some public-sector roles may also call for cross-cultural communication (including, in select situations, the knowledge of multiple languages).
  • Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration. Epidemiology is a highly collaborative field, requiring contributions from many types of professionals. These range from healthcare experts (such as physicians) to data scientists to government officials. While communication skills can enhance collaboration, aspiring epidemiologists should also get involved in research projects and other collaborative efforts that help them understand diverse perspectives while working seamlessly with interdisciplinary teams in the pursuit of shared goals.

How Texas A&M’s Online MPH in Epidemiology Prepares Future Leaders

As an aspiring epidemiologist, you look forward to making a positive difference through your work in research, advocacy, or community health initiatives. This work may prove challenging yet deeply rewarding — and some of its core challenges can be overcome by developing the right skill set. This begins with enrolling in a respected graduate program tailored to reflect the real-world demands within the contemporary public health profession.

Texas A&M University accomplishes this with a flexible, career-focused curriculum that helps you develop the broad range of skills and insights applicable to your future career. Students explore foundational topics such as study design, biostatistics, and longitudinal data analysis while enjoying opportunities to apply these competencies in passion-driven areas such as disaster epidemiology, social epidemiology, or global health. 

Pursue Meaningful Epidemiological Opportunities With an MPH From TAMU

Do you have big plans for your future in epidemiology? No matter if you hope to make a difference in the public sector or prefer to pursue private sector opportunities, you can uncover exciting possibilities when you study epidemiology at the graduate level.

Texas A&M's Master of Public Health in Epidemiology immerses you in key public health concepts and cutting-edge research, helping you prepare for a meaningful career. Get in touch to request more information about earning your online MPH in epidemiology.