Are you in the process of earning your Health Science degree? Are you comparing several different career options and debating whether or not you want to enter the health services sector? If you are looking for a rewarding career where you can help individuals in need, you may want to consider meaningful career opportunities in the field of public health. You might assume that all of the jobs in public health are similar in nature, but there are hundreds of different types of positions that cater to candidates with all types of different strengths and interests. Most positions require a formal education, but earning your Masters in Public Health will pay off with a generous salary. If you are trying to determine if a career in public health will pay the bills, here are some of the highest paying jobs organized by the education and training requirements.
High Paying Jobs with Minimal Licensing and Educational Requirements
Who says you have to have a PhD or a Master’s degree just to find a good compensation package in the health industry? With experience in public health settings or a certification, you can make more than the average American by finding a position in public health. Here are some high-paying positions that do not necessarily require a college degree:
Community Health Worker
As a community health worker, you will help connect members of the community with health services so that they can live a healthier life. You will either work for the state or the city government when you are employed as a community health worker. While a college degree is not required, pursuing training and certification will improve your chances of finding employment. The average salary in the field is $52,000, but ranges are between $30,000 and $60,000 depending on the area and your experience.
Nutritionist
Do you have a passion for helping people change their habits for their own good. If you are passionate about nutrition, being a dietary specialist may be a great option. Nutritionists do not have to possess a degree, but many states require professionals to hold a Registered Dietitian credential. The average salary reported in the field is $53,250, but salaries range dramatically based on where you are employed.
Highest Paying Public Health Jobs for Candidates with a Degree
As you can see, public health salaries for professionals without a degree are high, so salaries for positions that require a degree will be even higher. If you are already enrolled in a BS degree program, or you plan on pursuing a degree in Health Sciences or a Public Health field, here are the top-paying positions that require a Bachelor’s degree:
Public Health Engineer
Not all public health positions require you to work with the public. You can help by working behind the scenes and maintaining machinery and equipment as a Public Health Engineer. This position requires a minimum of a BS in Engineering. While the average salary is reported to be $63,000, ranges are between $63,000 and $108,000 for engineers with experience.
Sanitarians
State and Federal sanitarians and environmentalists help protect public health by collecting samples in areas and running experiments on toxins that are present in an area. You will work in a variety of settings and often be sent to work in the field. If this sparks your interest, you will be happy to hear the average environmentalist earns $67,000 per year and receives government employee benefits. Employees in the 90th percentile in the field have been reported to earn $107,190 per year.
There are a variety of different public health careers you can pursue, but consider the roles, the responsibilities, the pay, and the experience requirements before you commit yourself to entering the field. Consider your personality, your skills, and how long you are willing to attend school or training, and you can enter the field of health while there is a high demand.