Epidemiologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Epidemiologists Make?
Epidemiologists earn a median annual salary of $83,980 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $56,950 at the 10th percentile to $134,860 at the 90th percentile — a range of $77,910. The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $110,240.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,950 |
| 25th percentile | $68,040 |
| Median (50th) | $83,980 |
| 75th percentile | $106,040 |
| 90th percentile | $134,860 |
Epidemiologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jerseytop | $110,240 |
| Massachusetts | $104,920 |
| Rhode Island | $100,820 |
| California | $100,410 |
| Washington | $99,930 |
| Minnesota | $99,360 |
| Illinois | $99,220 |
| District of Columbia | $98,340 |
| Tennessee | $96,910 |
| Maryland | $94,460 |
| New York | $89,700 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Connecticut | $85,190 |
| Virginia | $84,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,800 |
| Wisconsin | $82,620 |
| North Carolina | $82,430 |
| Michigan | $81,680 |
| Nevada | $81,550 |
| New Mexico | $81,120 |
| South Carolina | $80,730 |
| Iowa | $80,300 |
| Indiana | $77,530 |
| Texas | $76,420 |
| Florida | $76,300 |
| Nebraska | $73,800 |
| Colorado | $73,340 |
| Ohio | $72,950 |
| Alabama | $72,830 |
| Utah | $72,160 |
| Hawaii | $71,270 |
| Kentucky | $70,140 |
| Kansas | $69,760 |
| Arizona | $69,300 |
| Georgia | $68,160 |
| Montana | $67,830 |
| West Virginia | $65,490 |
| Missouri | $64,810 |
| Oklahoma | $61,590 |
| Louisiana | $59,810 |
| Mississippi | $58,490 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Epidemiologists
Epidemiologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$56,950 – $68,040 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$83,980 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$106,040 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $134,860+ |
How to Earn More as an Epidemiologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Epidemiologists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $126,390 — $42,410 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($106,040) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Epidemiologist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Epidemiologistthis career | $83,980 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | $161,180 |
| Health Informatics Specialist | $103,790 |
| Microbiologist | $87,330 |
| Geneticist | $93,330 |
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SOC: 19-1041.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.