Post job

Epidemiologist vs doctor

The differences between epidemiologists and doctors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a doctor has an average salary of $208,582, which is higher than the $59,329 average annual salary of an epidemiologist.

The top three skills for an epidemiologist include SAS, data analysis and statistical analysis. The most important skills for a doctor are patients, customer service, and emergency medicine.

Epidemiologist vs doctor overview

EpidemiologistDoctor
Yearly salary$59,329$208,582
Hourly rate$28.52$100.28
Growth rate26%7%
Number of jobs48514,571
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4148
Years of experience4-

What does an epidemiologist do?

An epidemiologist specializes in studying and investigating different diseases, including its causes and effects on the human body. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering samples and subjecting them to various experiments and scientific procedures, traveling to different areas to conduct observations and in-depth analysis, maintaining extensive records, coordinating with other scientists and experts, and summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as an epidemiologist, it is vital to utilize expertise by creating policies for a healthy and safe environment for everyone.

What does a doctor do?

A doctor is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, often specializing in particular areas. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial interviews and examinations, studying a patient's medical history and laboratory results, providing consultations and care advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also coordinate and maintain an active communication line with nurses, administrators, and technicians for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a doctor must educate patients about their health conditions, helping them understand their situation better.

Epidemiologist vs doctor salary

Epidemiologists and doctors have different pay scales, as shown below.

EpidemiologistDoctor
Average salary$59,329$208,582
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $125,000Between $106,000 And $408,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCGreen Bay, WI
Highest paying stateNew JerseyOhio
Best paying companyExxon MobilSaint Luke's Health System
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between epidemiologist and doctor education

There are a few differences between an epidemiologist and a doctor in terms of educational background:

EpidemiologistDoctor
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorEcology, Population Biology, And EpidemiologyMedicine
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityDuke University

Epidemiologist vs doctor demographics

Here are the differences between epidemiologists' and doctors' demographics:

EpidemiologistDoctor
Average age4148
Gender ratioMale, 35.8% Female, 64.2%Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%13%

Differences between epidemiologist and doctor duties and responsibilities

Epidemiologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, etc.
  • Used SQL to query health encounters collect and maintain in a data warehouse.
  • Analyze health outcomes using risk ratios, regression models and descriptive statistics in SPSS.
  • Experience with SQL programming, web applications with query, analytics and dashboard features.
  • Recruit NYC businesses to join the program and train worksite coordinators on approaches to developing an onsite wellness program.
  • Serve as the lead chronic disease epidemiologist supporting the state tumor registry and the breast and cervical cancer early detection program.
  • Show more

Doctor example responsibilities.

  • Manage conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, asthma, and GERD.
  • Develop personalize treatment plans, rehabilitation plans, exercise plans, report of findings, nutritional plans and narrative reports.
  • Perform patient x-rays, provide MRI consultations.
  • Perform x-rays of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
  • Hire, train, educate and monitor staff in HIPPA policies and procedures.
  • Create, update, and maintain confidential patient EHRs in compliance with all HIPAA laws and regulations.
  • Show more

Epidemiologist vs doctor skills

Common epidemiologist skills
  • SAS, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • Statistical Analysis, 7%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Infectious Disease, 4%
  • Data Management, 4%
Common doctor skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Emergency Medicine, 5%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • DR, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 3%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs