Post job

How to hire an epidemiologist

Epidemiologist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring epidemiologists in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire an epidemiologist is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per epidemiologist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 5,162 epidemiologists in the US and 485 job openings.
  • Austin, TX, has the highest demand for epidemiologists, with 27 job openings.
  • Atlanta, GA has the highest concentration of epidemiologists.

How to hire an epidemiologist, step by step

To hire an epidemiologist, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire an epidemiologist, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step epidemiologist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an epidemiologist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new epidemiologist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what an epidemiologist does
jobs
Post an epidemiologist job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an epidemiologist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An epidemiologist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, epidemiologists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of epidemiologists and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of EpidemiologistDescriptionHourly rate
    EpidemiologistEpidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They seek to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community education, and health policy.$13-60
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • SAS
    • Data Analysis
    • Statistical Analysis
    • Patients
    • Infectious Disease
    • Data Management
    • Surveillance Data
    • Technical Assistance
    • Statistical Software
    • SPSS
    • Program Evaluation
    • Epidemiologic Studies
    • Disease Prevention
    • Research Projects
    Check all skills
    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.
    More epidemiologist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the epidemiologist job description is a good way to get more applicants. An epidemiologist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for an epidemiologist in Kentucky may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level epidemiologist. Additionally, an epidemiologist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average epidemiologist salary

    $59,329yearly

    $28.52 hourly rate

    Entry-level epidemiologist salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 22, 2025

    Average epidemiologist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1District of Columbia$84,947$41
    2California$83,543$40
    3Pennsylvania$76,092$37
    4Delaware$72,672$35
    5Massachusetts$70,994$34
    6New York$69,015$33
    7Maryland$67,715$33
    8Virginia$67,313$32
    9Washington$61,288$29
    10West Virginia$58,372$28
    11Michigan$57,383$28
    12Ohio$56,100$27
    13Minnesota$55,010$26
    14Texas$52,288$25
    15North Carolina$51,776$25
    16Wisconsin$50,255$24
    17Georgia$49,745$24
    18Iowa$49,340$24
    19Colorado$48,089$23
    20Wyoming$46,803$23

    Average epidemiologist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Exxon Mobil$148,708$71.49
    2Genentech$135,660$65.22
    3Brigham and Women's Hospital$128,917$61.98
    4Novartis$126,088$60.62
    5Eli Lilly and Company$125,417$60.30
    6Allergan plc$119,980$57.68
    7Tufts Medical Center$118,454$56.95
    8Merck$117,411$56.45
    9General Dynamics Mission Systems$114,850$55.22
    10Booz Allen Hamilton$108,277$52.06
    11QuintilesIMS$102,141$49.1111
    12Populus Group$100,762$48.44
    13Commonwealth Home Health Care$99,843$48.00
    14University of Rochester$97,997$47.11
    15Griffin Hospital$96,285$46.29
    16Boston College$94,583$45.47
    17Abbott$94,449$45.41
    18Jefferson County Health Center$94,429$45.40
    19Logistics Health Incorporated$93,279$44.85
    20Cerner$92,899$44.66
  4. Writing an epidemiologist job description

    A good epidemiologist job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an epidemiologist job description:

    Epidemiologist job description example

    Responsibilities

    *This position is a hybrid of 40% IN-PERSON work out of the NE Seattle office and 60% REMOTE work.*

    Responsible for collaborating with Director of Community Health and working independently manage the epidemologic and evaluative aspects of all community health progamming as well as be lead author/evaluator on the organzation's Community Health Needs Assessment, and resulting Community Health Implementation Strategies. The individual would use critical thinking skills to be responsible for conducting and overseeing epidemiologic analyses related to pediatric health status in the Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WAMI) region. The individual would conduct research and design analysis to identify associations between socioenvironmental exposures and physical and mental health outcomes in pediatric populations and to inform community health projects and programs. Individual would also be responsible for evaluating said projects and programs. Upon research completion, they would apply research findings to inform community health projects and programs and assembles and helps implement evidence-based interventions to improve pediatric health. Collaborates with the Director and team taking direct responsibility for carrying out research and development activities as well as evaluation. The incumbent knows and deploys: public health principles and practice, qualitative methods and techniques, has experience with evaluating community-based programs serving children, youth, and young adults and also has experience with evaluating policy, systems and environmental change efforts (community-led or other).

    #LI-JT1

    Job Posting Addendum

    This position is a hybrid of 40% IN-PERSON work out of the NE Seattle office and 60% REMOTE work. Must be willing to work in-person at the NE Seattle office 2 days each week .

    Requirements

    Required Education/Experience:
    - Master of Public Health, Epidemiology focus or Biostatistics.
    - Minimum of three (3) years experience in in these areas, or experince in a related area.
    - Experience in creating, planning and organizing research programs.
    - Experience in conducting statistical analysis, accurately and appropriately interpreting results.
    - Experience in effectively communicating analysis results.
    - Expected to complete Human Subjects Protection Training and any IRB requirements for research.

    Required Credentials:
    N/A

    Preferred:
    -Experience in working with community to gather quantiative and qualitative data gathering on determinants of health and community health indicators for children aged 0-21 years old.
    -Experience evaluating public health or pediatric health programs and making recommendations for improvement and innovation.
    - Ability to manage and link data from multiple internal and external sources.
    - Experience in utilizing a Results-Based Accountability framework.
    - Experience grant-writing or securing funding for research/evaluation projects.

    About Us

    Hope. Care. Cure. These three simple words capture what we do at Seattle Children's -- to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Are you ready to engage with a mission-driven organization that is life-changing to many, and touches the hearts of all? #HOPECARECURE

    Our founding promise to the community is as valid today as it was over a century ago: we will care for all children in our region, regardless of the families' ability to pay. Together, we deliver superior patient care, advance new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and serve as the pediatric and adolescent, academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho - the largest region of any children's hospital in the country.

    In 2022, U.S. News & World Report once again ranked Seattle Children's among the nation's best children's hospitals - for the 30th year in a row. For more than a decade, Seattle Children's has been nationally ranked in all 10 specialty areas evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. We are honored to be the top-ranked pediatric hospital in Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

    As a Magnet designated institution, and classified among America's best large employers by Forbes, we recognize the importance of hiring and developing great talent to provide best-in-class care to the patients and families we serve. Our organizational DNA takes form in our core values: Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Equity and Innovation. Whether it's delivering frontline care to our patients in a kind and caring manner, practicing the highest standards of quality and safety, or being relentlessly curious as we work towards eradicating childhood diseases, these values are the fabric of our culture and community. The future starts here.

    Covid-19 Vaccination In accordance with Washington state law, Seattle Children's requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All offers are contingent and your vaccine status will be verified at onboarding. Our Commitment to Diversity Our community welcomes diverse experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts as this is what drives our spirit of inquiry and allows us to better connect with our increasingly diverse patients and families. Our organization recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

    The people who work at Seattle Children's are members of a community that seeks to respect and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique. Each of us is empowered to be ourselves within this community, which cultivates and promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels.

    Seattle Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and Affirmative Action Employer.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find epidemiologists for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your epidemiologist job on Zippia to find and recruit epidemiologist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with epidemiologist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new epidemiologist

    Once you've decided on a perfect epidemiologist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire an epidemiologist?

Recruiting epidemiologists involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Epidemiologists earn a median yearly salary is $59,329 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find epidemiologists for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $13 and $60.

Find better epidemiologists in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring epidemiologists FAQs

Search for epidemiologist jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs