How To Become A Health Researcher: What It Is and Career Path

What is a health researcher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.

Health researchers are employed in the health industry to analyze materials and publications and develop efficient research methodologies. They evaluate the current health trends, identify risks to public health, and collaborate with medical health professionals to investigate these risks. They help lab technicians in conducting examinations relating to research findings. Asides from that, they propose treatment plans. Additionally, they help to improve the use of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and diagnostics. Their job influences policy decisions at both the local and national levels. Also, they perform tasks such as coordinating seminars, drafting speeches, and filing data and records.

Health researchers must possess interpersonal, research, communication, attention to detail, analytical, multitasking, and organization skills. You need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field for this position. Experience in statistical analysis and population surveys is important. Health researchers make around $61,378 annually or $29.51 hourly. This ranges from $40,000 to $92,000.

What general advice would you give to a health researcher?

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.

Dean, La Sierra University

A degree in theological and ministerial studies (or more generally in Religious Studies) does not necessarily have to lead into pastoral ministry. There are many opportunities where a Religion degree is a good foundation: Chaplaincy (e.g., Hospital, Army, Jail, etc.), Politics & Society, Journalism, Health Sciences, Arts, etc.

General advice: Let your heart speak first, not possible career chances or salary perspectives, etc. (I understand that this is important, too).

ScoreHealth ResearcherUS Average

Salary

6.5

Avg. Salary $83,787

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 26.43%

Black or African American 6.31%

Hispanic or Latino 9.53%

Unknown 4.09%

White 53.49%

Gender

female 67.55%

male 32.45%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a health researcher

Explore health researcher education requirements

Most common health researcher degrees

Bachelor's

58.7 %

Master's

22.4 %

Doctorate

9.3 %

Start to develop specific health researcher skills

Skills	Percentages
Health Services	12.55%
Data Collection	11.97%
Data Analysis	10.00%
Research Findings	7.88%
Health Economics	5.69%

Complete relevant health researcher training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New health researchers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a health researcher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real health researcher resumes.

Research health researcher duties and responsibilities

Lead Inovalon's team of biostatisticians and SAS programmers.
Manage database of test responses and conduct data analyses for NIH technical report.
Manage site assessment, initiation, monitoring, query resolution and site closure done by several CRO's and sponsors.
Create Linux shell scripts to automate common process which severely reduce manual work load and processing time for the entire lab.

Prepare your health researcher resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your health researcher resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a health researcher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable health researcher resume templates

Build a professional health researcher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your health researcher resume.