Public Health

Public health is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on population health analysis. Health is defined and promoted differently by many organizations. The World Health Organization, the United Nations body that sets standards and provides global surveillance of disease, defines health as: "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Public health experts agree that nutritional, spiritual, and intellectual aspects also affect an individual's health.

The population in question can be as small as a handful of people or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents (for instance, in the case of a pandemic). Public health has many sub-fields, but is typically divided into the categories of epidemiology, biostatistics and health services. Environmental, social and behavioral health, and occupational health, are also important fields in public health.

Careers

Physicians and Surgeons
Wage: $208,000
10 Year Growth Rate: 3.0%
Education Requirements:
Doctoral or professional degree
Podiatrists
Wage: $145,840
10 Year Growth Rate: 2.0%
Education Requirements:
Doctoral or professional degree
Pharmacists
Wage: $128,570
10 Year Growth Rate: -2.0%
Education Requirements:
Doctoral or professional degree
Optometrists
Wage: $124,300
10 Year Growth Rate: 9.0%
Education Requirements:
Doctoral or professional degree
Physician Assistants
Wage: $121,530
10 Year Growth Rate: 31.0%
Education Requirements:
Master's degree
Medical and Health Services Managers
Wage: $101,340
10 Year Growth Rate: 32.0%
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Wage: $99,040
10 Year Growth Rate: 6.0%
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Registered Nurses
Wage: $77,600
10 Year Growth Rate: 9.0%
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Wage: $76,530
10 Year Growth Rate: 8.0%
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Wage: $75,440
10 Year Growth Rate: 18.0%
Education Requirements:
Master's degree
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Wage: $74,870
10 Year Growth Rate: 7.0%
Education Requirements:

Health Educators
Wage: $64,000
10 Year Growth Rate: 26.2%
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Wage: $61,650
10 Year Growth Rate: 11.0%
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides
Wage: $61,520
10 Year Growth Rate: 34.0%
Education Requirements:

Surgical Technologists
Wage: $48,530
10 Year Growth Rate: 9.0%
Education Requirements:
Postsecondary nondegree award
Athletic Trainers
Wage: $48,420
10 Year Growth Rate: 23.0%
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Wage: $48,070
10 Year Growth Rate: 9.0%
Education Requirements:
Postsecondary nondegree award
Nursing and Psychiatric Aides
Wage: $47,000
10 Year Growth Rate: -0.1%
Education Requirements:
Short-term on-the-job training
Massage Therapists
Wage: $46,910
10 Year Growth Rate: 32.0%
Education Requirements:
Postsecondary nondegree award
Dental Assistants
Wage: $38,660
10 Year Growth Rate: 11.0%
Education Requirements:
Postsecondary nondegree award
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Wage: $38,000
10 Year Growth Rate: 9.0%
Education Requirements:
Postsecondary nondegree award
Dispensing Opticians
Wage: $37,570
10 Year Growth Rate: 6.0%
Education Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent
Medical Assistants
Wage: $37,190
10 Year Growth Rate: 18.0%
Education Requirements:
Postsecondary nondegree award
Pharmacy Technicians and Aides
Wage: $36,740
10 Year Growth Rate: 4.0%
Education Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent
Psychiatric Technicians and Aides
Wage: $36,230
10 Year Growth Rate: 11.0%
Education Requirements:

Medical Transcriptionists
Wage: $30,100
10 Year Growth Rate: -7.0%
Education Requirements:
Postsecondary nondegree award
Home Health Aides and Personal and Home Care Aides
Wage: $29,430
10 Year Growth Rate: 33.0%
Education Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent