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Job outlook for health program specialists in the United States
Are health program specialist jobs in demand?
Health program specialist job and salary trends over time
Health program specialist jobs over time
Health program specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 284 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,355 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,361 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 718 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 661 | 0.00% |
Average health program specialist salary over time
Health program specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $48,114 | $23.13 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $46,444 | $22.33 | --20.3% |
| 2024 | $58,248 | $28.00 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $57,259 | $27.53 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $56,573 | $27.20 | +1.0% |
Health program specialist jobs by state
Most common states for health program specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 306 | 41% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 279 | 40% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 328 | 34% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,800 | 32% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 397 | 30% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 259 | 30% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 874 | 28% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 539 | 28% |
| 9 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 484 | 28% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 299 | 28% |
| 11 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,705 | 26% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 162 | 26% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 770 | 25% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,442 | 24% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,369 | 24% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,340 | 24% |
| 17 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 723 | 24% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,611 | 23% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,116 | 23% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 238 | 23% |
Most common cities for health program specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | 7 | 4% | $42,211 |
| 2 | Burlington | 1 | 4% | $39,154 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | 1 | 2% | $46,834 |
| 4 | Killeen | 1 | 1% | $44,956 |
| 5 | San Mateo | 1 | 1% | $68,912 |
| 6 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $45,141 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $40,072 |
| 8 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $46,605 |
| 9 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $62,852 |
| 10 | Seattle | 1 | 0% | $65,267 |
Health Program Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of health program specialist experts
University of Akron
University of South Florida
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Wake Forest University
University of Central Missouri
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Benedictine University
California State University - Los Angeles
Bowling Green State University
University of Florida Health
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Texas at San Antonio
Lancaster Bible College
University of Lynchburg
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
Seattle University
East Tennessee State University
What general advice would you give to a Health Program Specialist?
Angie Otiniano Verissimo Ph.D., M.P.H.: I would really emphasize the importance of networking and building relationships. Public health is all about collaborating and bringing different diverse groups to the table. Tapping into existing relationships, considering former professors, classmates, preceptors, and mentors is a good starting point. Once you have a solid sense of the population or health topic you will be focused on, you can start thinking through establishing new relationships and equitable partnerships. This is also an opportunity to be creative. When we are engaging communities in public health, we often have to think outside of the box and build relationships with community members and organizations that may not be traditionally considered public health partners. We have to be comfortable taking public health information, messages, and initiatives out into the community.
What Health Program Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Angie Otiniano Verissimo Ph.D., M.P.H.: As with other sectors, technology is becoming more and more critically important in public health. There is a lot of progress in terms of the integration of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and social media in public health. The more recent graduates can familiarize themselves with these tools, the better prepared they will be.
What Health Program Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: Health and wellness coaching skills continue to gain incredible momentum in the health care industry and many other professional fields. Treat every patient/client relationship as a partnership: you are the expert in your field and they are the expert on their life. Behavior change that stems from strength-base approaches that allow the client/patient to take ownership of their plan increases long-term compliance tremendously. Additionally, insurance billing skills may become more important and prevalent in the field as (hopefully) efforts to expand current procedural terminology” or “CPT” codes for Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs) are successful.
What will help Health Program Specialists increase their earning potential?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: There is a two-pronged approach I recommend to maximizing salary potential as a new graduate: 1) expand your professional network and 2) pursue additional certifications in areas of interest. Ways to expand your professional network are to leverage your LinkedIn account to connect to professionals you meet at work and at professional conferences. Volunteer to serve on committees to organize community events related to your work, such as fundraising events put on by the American Heart Association (e.g., Heartwalk) or American Cancer Society (e.g., Relay for Life), or a local health fair. As you discover your strengths in the workplace, pursue additional certifications to enhance your qualifications.
What general advice would you give to a Health Program Specialist?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: God gave you two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk. Remain open-minded and stay in touch with your mentors. We should always be learning. Find your path and your niche by doing what makes you happy. Don't chase the money. If you are happy and doing what you love and are passionate about, the money will come.
Van Whaley DC, EdD
Assistant Professor-in-ResidenceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Nutrition Sciences
What Health Program Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) is a vital part of so many healthcare and human-performance fields. Understanding how our bodies work creates better therapists, nurses, doctors, experts, trainers, and more understanding people. We all have friends and family members who face health issues - diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol, autoimmune conditions, hormone/chemical imbalances, arthritis, etc. Learning A&P helps us to help others, including being a health advocate for loved ones.
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Graduate Program Chair, Department of Special Education & Communication DisordersOmaha
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Health Program Specialist?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: There are a number of skills that will become increasingly important in health and wellness fields over the next 3-5 years. One of these is expanding capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration. Efficiently and successfully addressing complex health, wellness, and/or educational issues often requires collaboration across different professional disciplines. Effective communication is essential for these kinds of collaborations. You will need to be able to contribute to a team and work well with others to explain complex concepts specific to your area of the field with clients and colleagues as well as provide complementary - not overlapping or contradictory - clinical services with your professional partners. Additionally, cultural competence -showing respect and understanding of cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values that differ from your own - will become increasingly important for effective clinical practices within a pluralistic society. Finally, skills related to successful and appropriate remote care delivery are important to cultivate. The rise of tele-medicine, tele-therapy, and remote client monitoring will require health and wellness professionals to adapt their skill sets so they can not only provide high-quality care through in-person interactions, but also through remote formats.
What will help Health Program Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: For new graduates entering the workforce in health and wellness fields, there are a number of important aspects to be mindful of that could help you find success in your new career. Namely, I would encourage you to commit yourself to continued education. Create good habits early for staying current on the latest research and evidence-based practices in your field by seeking out professional development opportunities (e.g., attending conferences and seminars, participating in organizational workshops, etc.), particularly in content areas relevant to your new position. Further, networking and professional relationship building is key. Making connections to others in your field can provide you with valuable insights, mentorship, and even career advancement opportunities. Finally, be sure to take some time for yourself. Starting a new career is challenging and can feel all-consuming at times. Be sure to make time for activities that allow you to feel recharged. This will help you prevent burnout and maintain your own physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing as you embark on your new professional adventure.
Ted Eaves
Associate teaching professorWake Forest University
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What general advice would you give to a Health Program Specialist?
Ted Eaves: For general advice for graduates with a degree in Kinesiology, I would suggest finding an area that you are passionate about. There are a lot of different directions that graduates can take after school such as health care, research, clinical applications, behavioral medicine, pharmaceutical/device sales, and insurance or other business related programs.
What Health Program Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ted Eaves: I think as far as skills are concerned, all graduates need to have the basic knowledge and ability to use that knowledge to help their patients/clients; however, the interpersonal skills are the ones that will be the most important moving forward. Caring/compassionate care is essential, empathy and listening skills help you relate to your patients/clients, and cultural competency is a big emphasis now. Communication and collaboration among constituent groups is also really important if going into health care. Taking care of patients requires an entire team of professionals and being able to interact with these different groups is going to be crucial to offering the best care possible.
What will help Health Program Specialists increase their earning potential?
Ted Eaves: Look at the field you want to go into and see if there are certifications and specialty training programs that you can take. Certifications in specific sub-specialties or treatments can make you stand out for new jobs or promotions, increasing your earnings potential.
Wesley Tinker
Assistant Professor of SafetyUniversity of Central Missouri
Safety Sciences
What Health Program Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wesley Tinker: - In today's marketplace, the need for Safety Professionals is at an all-time high. With the ever-evolving methods and equipment across all industries, safety-related positions are being instituted to keep up with the introduction of the risks associated with the evolvement. Safety professionals impact the four quadrants of risk management involving finances, strategy, operations, and of course hazards. In previous years, the persona of duties associated with the Safety professional only impacted the hazards element but nowadays we can see how impactful they are on all four of those quadrants. With this level of involvement in the organization, the justification for a higher salary is made. Safety Professionals typically enter the field because they want to prevent people from becoming injured and/or ill but also the volume of positions along with the higher payscale than most 'fresh out of college' professions, allows for more opportunities.
Corey Hannah
Program Director, Master of Science in Athletic TrainingUniversity of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Department of Kinesiology
What skills stand out on Health Program Specialist resumes?
Corey Hannah: Things that stand out to me include didactic and clinical experience, team-based approaches to teaching, collaborative models of pedagogy, innovative practices in the classroom and beyond, and an interprofessional approach to both teaching and learning.
What skills will help Health Program Specialists earn the most?
Corey Hannah: Variety and diversity of experiences, international experience is a huge plus, multiple certifications and licensures (CSCS, AT, PT, PA, Graston, Dry needling, cupping, to name a few)
Bonnie Beezhold Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorBenedictine University
Nutrition Department
What skills stand out on Health Program Specialist resumes?
Bonnie Beezhold Ph.D.: Like other fields, possessing excellent writing and oral skills in health and wellness is critical to effectively convey health information to audiences. Those skills appear to be waning even among graduate students. Recognizing low competency and getting remedial help with language mechanics should be a top priority.
Also, taking the time and effort to get to know your audience profile before engaging with them ensures that you are writing and speaking at their level of understanding and readiness to hear you. Tailoring information to audiences when planning to deliver health education or health promotion is a critical necessity - we cannot assume that everyone who would benefit from hearing the health or wellness information we want to provide can understand it or are even interested.
Perhaps more critical today is recognizing and combating the formidable power of health misinformation to sabotage the health and well-being of the public and, conversely, provide credible, evidence-based information. Clearly, if the vast majority of our population had consistently accessed factual news and information based on sound scientific principles about the nature and spread of the virus and the necessity of public health guidelines, no matter how imperfectly guidelines evolved, we would likely be living in a scenario of recovery from the pandemic rather than continuing to watch case numbers and deaths rise across the country with a more contagious variant.
As increasingly reported, misinformation spreads much more quickly than factual information. A study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and published in the prestigious Science journal compared the diffusion of verified true and false news articles that appeared on Twitter from 2006 through 2017 (Vosoughi, Roy, Aral, 2018). They found that false articles diffused significantly 'farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than factual articles in all information categories. The reason? Researchers concluded that false information was more novel and engaged more emotional reactions like fear, disgust, and surprise than factual information. Thus it was more likely shared with friends and family. Unfortunately, those who disseminate misinformation for whatever reason are increasing, and there are currently no regulations that require news and information to be fact-checked and truthful. Health and wellness experts then have a responsibility to recommend therapies with evidence of efficacy and safety, disseminate accurate information from responsible government, education, and health organizational sites, and provide guidelines to help the public discern what health resources provide accurate information.
The consequences of not tackling health misinformation can obviously have grim consequences. We have all watched as misinformation on vaccination has negatively impacted the country's response to the pandemic. It is a fact that vaccination is one of the great modern triumphs against serious widespread infectious disease, along with antibiotics and proper hygiene. But misinformation and disinformation in social media as well as in certain national media websites and broadcasts has cast doubt on vaccine efficacy and safety and has politicized public health guidelines, leading to a substantial proportion of the population refusing vaccination rather than viewing it as a most fortunate solution and moving towards herd immunity. Even before the pandemic, misinformation about vaccines, in general, had been rising, and infectious diseases formerly conquered, like measles, began to reappear and put children at risk.
Another important skill I would mention that health and wellness graduates should cultivate is an ability to forge caring relationships with individuals or groups based on trust and ethics to inspire confidence in their expertise. It is important to realize that one's ability to reach and persuade people they want to help is largely dependent on whether those people respect and trust them. Health and wellness experts should be involved in their community and demonstrate empathy and concern beyond merely providing credible health and wellness information from reputable resources.
What's a good job out of college for Health Program Specialists?
Kimberly Kisler Pisca MPH, PhD: The field of public health is vast and diverse, so job opportunities can present in a number of settings and with a number of populations and health issues. However, the immediate need for public health professionals to assist with COVID-19 efforts presents a unique opportunity for recent graduates to assist with contact tracing and disease investigation, encouraging vaccination uptake, dispelling myths through health education and health promotion materials development, and connecting the community to much-needed resources. An entry-level job as a contact tracer, health educator, or peer case manager would be a great way to get valuable hands-on experience while meeting the immense need within the community.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Program Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Bradley Fevrier Ph.D.: Remote work will be the biggest mover in terms of trending. Public health as a field of study has been constantly evolving and given the current pandemic that is only going to continue. Proficiency in emergency/crisis management, epidemiology (qualitative and quantitative science) and anything telehealth related will see an increase in interest. Also, given the variability in understanding of the current health impacts of COVID-19, areas like data science, bioinformatics, and biostatistics will see upward mobility.
What soft skills should all Health Program Specialists possess?
Keith Benson: Soft skills is a misnomer from my perspective. Emotional intelligence, resilience and adaptability, remote team building, and openness to change are essential non-technical skills that will be important in one's future career.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Program Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Frank Borgers Ph.D.: While the pandemic has created short-term financial distress and driven some degree of organizational reorganization, the longer-term impact may be to increase the focus on the nation's need to create a far more robust public health infrastructure, that in many ways, begins with, and sits top primary care. The 2020 elections should accelerate this focus as the new administration and congress seek to secure and expand the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
But, healthcare is of course a huge, vibrant sector, and the underlying drivers of sector growth (in particular the large baby boomer population that will continue to drive acute, outpatient, and nursing home demand) remain, and thus the job market outlook across healthcare jobs remains incredibly robust.
When it comes to health care administration , the future looks very bright. The most recent US News and World Report's, ranks "Medical and Health Services Manager" as #4 amongst its "100 Best Jobs" across all economic sectors, and #1 amongst "Best Business Jobs"!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics we can anticipate over 30% employment growth for medical and health services managers over the next decade and the creation of an estimated 133,200 new jobs.
In short, despite the pandemic, the job market for health care administration looks incredibly promising.
What Health Program Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Frank Borgers Ph.D.: From where I sit (within a Masters level program), the most popular "gap year" route has been via administrative fellowships. These 1-2 year programs are an incredible avenue to receive senior leadership mentorship, participate in a wide range of organizational functions and activities, and are the gateway to an accelerated leadership pathway. Our program has had great success in placing students in these highly competitive positions, our alumni reports on these opportunities are extremely positive, and their post-graduation careers exemplify a fast-track leadership pathway.
Sara Oswalt Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorUniversity of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Public Health
What Health Program Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sara Oswalt Ph.D.: Communication - both oral and written - and contact tracing. In the virtual world, how we communicate in email and online platforms has been increasingly important. As we return to more in-person interactions, these skills -- communicating professional and clearly -- remain important to distinguish yourself from others. If it is possible to get a part-time job as contact tracer, do it. While contact tracing has gained attention because of the pandemic, it's a standard practice in public health related to other infectious diseases and STIs (think back to HIV/AIDS in 1990s). Talking with people about their health and their behaviors is a skill that many graduates don't have "real world" experience in; getting that experience can distinguish your application.
What general advice would you give to a Health Program Specialist?
Sara Oswalt Ph.D.: Try to get as much experience as you can, even if it's volunteering. Experiencing different roles and settings provides a better understanding of what kind of organization you want to work for and what kind of job you want. This can be especially important if that first job isn't ideal. The reality is many folks take a first job just to get one, and this is okay because you need experience in the field. Continuing to volunteer allows you to learn more about yourself, your community and how you fit. It can also help make connections that allow you to learn about new opportunities when they do occur.
Grace Palmisano
Lancaster Bible College
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Program Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Grace Palmisano: Since the pandemic started, mental health concerns have skyrocketed as the pandemic disrupted the regularity of peoples' social and work lives. There is an increase of depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, addictions, and sadly suicides during the pandemic as people encounter loneliness, social isolation/distancing, loss of loved ones, unemployment, financial struggles, etc. Because of this, more people are seeking mental health services to help them cope through this pandemic.
So job opportunities in the mental health field will steadily increase as the need for mental health services have increased, even for therapists themselves. It is a strange time for therapists to also share similar experiences and stresses as the client when it comes to the pandemic. Because of that, there is additional stress for therapists to care for their own mental health needs while supporting their clients'. The complications are that most mental health positions do require formal education and training, which can slow the process down. Nevertheless, there are training opportunities in communities that seek to provide first-aid mental health training to the community just to be informed and even just know the "basics."
Daniel Hall Ph.D.
Program Director, Assistant Professor of Counselor EducationUniversity of Lynchburg
College of Education, Leadership Studies, & Counseling
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Program Specialists?
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: I do believe there will be an enduring impact from the coronavirus - not just on graduates, but on the mental health profession. Graduates will have personal experience with many of the stressors that might bring clients in for counseling services. So, it is my hope that all practitioners moving forward will have increased empathy and understanding that will contribute to their efficacy with clients across a spectrum of concerns.
As a profession, mental health counselors will need to be sure that they have engaged in appropriate self-care to mitigate any of the psychological effects of the pandemic they may be experiencing themselves. And, finally, there has been a huge expansion in the teletronic delivery of mental health services during Covid times. Even as face-to-face counseling becomes more widely available and returns as a viable and available option, electronic services have earned an acceptance that did not exist prior to the pandemic, and that delivery model will continue to be far more prevalent than it was before.
What experience really stands out on Health Program Specialist resumes?
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: Specificity is an essential highlight that stands out on a resume - particularly as it relates to experience in the field. That means enough detail to clearly articulate professional skills. So, for example, not just a mention of facilitating small groups, but rather the topic of the group, the theoretical approach, etc. And, perhaps more importantly, outcomes. Applicants will really stand out if they can reference engagement in evidence-based best practices and then have data that demonstrates the success they have had in application and facilitation of those practices.
Kim Jones Ph.D.
Professor, Chair of Clinical ConcentrationUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Social Work
What skills stand out on Health Program Specialist resumes?
Kim Jones Ph.D.: The necessary skills for today's market include the ability to implement evidence-informed mental health approaches, the ability to display empathy, knowledge of crisis intervention models, organizational skills, good work ethic, both verbal and written communication skills, cultural competence, and the ability to adapt to changing technology.
Nicole Hansen
Director of Mission AdvancementYMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Program Specialists?
Nicole Hansen: Some companies have thrived during the pandemic financially. These companies have been in a growth mode and will be hiring as long as the pandemic is a threat. Their future success will depend on whether or not they have plans in place to maintain their size after the threat is gone. Some companies have had to downsize and make radical changes due to forced shutdowns and in consumer behavior. As the economy rebounds, companies will right-size, hire more staff, and potentially create jobs that weren't in existence in 2020. Jobs in companies that are more immune to fluxuations in the economy are always safer and more secure. Graduates looking to become employed in 2021 may be expected to provide proof of vaccination, especially while the threat is so top of mind.
What experience really stands out on Health Program Specialist resumes?
Nicole Hansen: Experience that stands out on a resume is that which aligns to the job being applied for. For example, listing child care and tutoring experience are good if applying for a teaching position. If the job being applied for requires independence, list jobs that included that skill. If your work experience was volunteer or unpaid but relates to the job being sought, list that too. Any experience that can be tied into the job you want puts you ahead of the candidate with no experience. It's also important to list certifications or licenses that are relevant to the job, such as CPR and First Aid.
Theresa Earenfight Ph.D.
Professor of History, Director, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies ProgramSeattle University
History Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Program Specialists?
Theresa Earenfight Ph.D.: As a historian of the European Middle Ages, I'm struck by how students this past year have acquired something scarce: historical empathy. The past can seem so remote, so very different from our lived experiences today, and this can make history seem irrelevant. But this fall, I was teaching a section on the bubonic plague, which historians of medicine now know was a global pandemic, not just an epidemic in Europe. Usually, students are fascinated by the gruesome medical details, but not this group.
They did not need or want to look death in the eyes. They wanted to know how did people react? How did they get back to normal? When we ticked off the list of reactions--fear, distrust of science (such as it was in 1348), xenophobia, scapegoating, economic collapse, hoarding supplies, turn to religion, gallows humor about worms crawling about corpses--they got it. When we talked about the aftermath--eat, drink, be merry, and protest the inequality--they got it. That is historical empathy, and I'm sad that this was how it had to be learned, but it will give them broader compassion that can encompass people alive today.
What experience really stands out on Health Program Specialist resumes?
Theresa Earenfight Ph.D.: Altruism. Anyone who reaches out and does work that repairs the shredded world and does not ask for an avalanche of cash. And an understanding of how privilege works and a desire to work to rein in the harm of unchecked privilege.