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Job outlook for peer health educators in the United States
Peer health educator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected peer health educator job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 15,200 new jobs for peer health educators are projected over the next decade.
Peer health educator salaries have increased 6% for peer health educators in the last 5 years.
There are over 10,948 peer health educators currently employed in the United States.
There are 54,745 active peer health educator job openings in the US.
The average peer health educator salary is $34,923.
Are peer health educator jobs in demand?
Peer health educator job and salary trends over time
Peer health educator jobs over time
Peer health educator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,948 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 11,358 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 11,489 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 11,527 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 11,382 | 0.00% |
Average peer health educator salary over time
Peer health educator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,923 | $16.79 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $34,132 | $16.41 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $33,514 | $16.11 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $33,341 | $16.03 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $32,803 | $15.77 | +2.1% |
Peer health educator jobs by state
Most common states for peer health educators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 153 | 22% |
| 2 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,000 | 15% |
| 3 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,031 | 14% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 978 | 14% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 805 | 14% |
| 6 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 232 | 14% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 404 | 13% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 75 | 13% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 587 | 12% |
| 10 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 346 | 12% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 159 | 12% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 111 | 12% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 88 | 12% |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 646 | 11% |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,180 | 10% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,076 | 10% |
| 17 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,046 | 10% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 587 | 10% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 476 | 10% |
| 20 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 304 | 10% |
Most common cities for peer health educators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waco | 1 | 1% | $30,886 |
| 2 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $52,979 |
Peer Health Educator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of peer health educator experts
Michigan Technological University
University of Akron
University of South Florida
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Wake Forest University
University of Baltimore
Saginaw Valley State University
The University of Vermont
King's College
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Aultman College
Business Specialist
Mercer University
Washington University in St. Louis
Arizona State University
Bethel University
Cedar Crest College
Cabrini University
What general advice would you give to a Peer Health Educator?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Preventative health measures, educating people on the importance of movement, interpersonal skills and the ability to explain to clients and patients their health. Having a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, & biomechanics and how it relates to daily health.
What Peer Health Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Continuing education, conferences, and certifications. Making sure you are apart of an organization with continuing education (AKA, ACSM, CSCS etc). Staying on top of the ever evolving world of health can give you an edge in many areas of treatment.
What will help Peer Health Educators increase their earning potential?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Take advantage of the connections you've made during your undergraduate degree. Professionals that you've met shadowing, interning, at conferences can all help you and guide you. Don't be afraid to continue your education through certifications and conferences. There is always more to learn and it can make you even more marketable, and will help you expand your connections.
What general advice would you give to a Peer Health Educator?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: For new graduates, I would say they now have a solid foundation of knowledge, skills and abilities in the field, but that their learning experiences have just begun! My advice is that they count every experience on the job – good, bad, or ugly – as a learning opportunity to grow their professionalism and expertise. It takes about a year to learn any new job, so give yourselves time and grace along the way. Every experience has the opportunity to make you into a better professional and person.
What Peer Health Educator 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 Peer Health Educators 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 Peer Health Educator?
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.
What Peer Health Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: Technology is paramount but must also be matched with interpersonal communication skills. There will always be people who want and need personal interaction to achieve their success. Work hard to hone your 'coaching' skills so that you can assist people in achieving their success. Remember, people are created whole and complete with the ability to solve their problems. Often, we lose our innate ability due to experiences. Help people resurrect that innate ability to be healthy. Remember, it is their story, not yours. Additionally, we must be more proactive in using data and analytics. We wear watches that capture so much information, but do we even know whether they are accurate and what to do with the data? Artificial intelligence is coming on strong. How can we use it to enhance people's health? How can we use it to help our businesses?
What will help Peer Health Educators increase their earning potential?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: Success in life is about connections. Who knows you (Not who you know!), and how do they know you? Jobs will come to you once you create and live your passion. People will see you and offer you work. Guide your career based on your values. Your rewards will reflect your values. Owning your own business allows you to be your boss but has many pitfalls and risks. If you think you want to own your own business, interview a few people who have been successful and ask them how they did it. Also, work with and for them to learn about operations and culture. Can you do that lifestyle? Research current salaries in your area, and then talk to people doing what you think you want to do. Ask them about the range of wages you should expect. Does that work for you? Be prepared to negotiate your salary. Know what you should get paid before you start the negotiation meeting. I love working with students on budgets. We start with personal budgets and work to budgeting for the operations of their own business. It can be a remarkable learning process especially once they realize that if they can save $100/month every month for 30 years, they will have close to $100,000. Start small and grow big!
Dr. Wendy Huddleston
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director, Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to a Peer Health Educator?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Interprofessional teamwork, cultural humility, flexibility, and innovation will be the keys to a successful future in health and wellness. Healthcare in the US is going to change significantly in the next decade. Methods of delivery, including more telehealth/telecommunications, and the use of AI in clinical practice are some examples.
What Peer Health Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Be able to identify what differentiates you from other new graduates. Examples might include being able to speak a second language, being mobile, having flexibility in work hours and/or work locations, or having leadership experience of any kind. You'll want to add skills to your resume, not just experience.
What will help Peer Health Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Treat clients and patients as individuals with unique lived experiences. They can teach you as much or more than what you learned in a classroom. Seek out and volunteer for new experiences. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Recognize the experience of others but know that you bring the value of new knowledge and a fresh perspective.
Van Whaley DC, EdD
Assistant Professor-in-ResidenceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Nutrition Sciences
What will help Peer Health Educators increase their earning potential?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Integration, cooperation, and critical thinking. Today's top healthcare includes virtual doctor visits, multiple places doing tests, and a centralized location that organizes this data to best help the patient. The days of a lone practitioner treating a community are replaced by a team of healthcare providers taking care of an individual.
What general advice would you give to a Peer Health Educator?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Specificity in training or certifications definitely can increase someone's salary potential. Also, there is a wide variety of jobs (and pay rates) within most fields. Someone in private practice may make two times more than someone with the same credentials working at a non-profit. However, those two would have very different experiences and demands in their work demands.
What Peer Health Educator 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 Peer Health Educator?
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 Peer Health Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: To maximize your salary potential as a new professional in health and wellness fields, I encourage you to research salary trends and expectations for entry-level positions in your specific professional and geographic areas. Salaries can vary substantially depending on work setting and geographic location. We see this a lot in my own field of speech-language pathology. Research the cost of living in different areas and consider relocating if it's a viable option for you and your salary may be higher relative to living expenses there. Be open to opportunities for professional growth! You can achieve growth not only through advancements or promotions within your organization, but sometimes through lateral moves as well if these lateral opportunities provide you with new experiences and skills that can enhance your overall value as an employee. Enhancing your professional value and capacity for meaningful contributions can lead to increases in your earning potential over time.
What will help Peer Health Educators 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 Peer Health Educator?
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 Peer Health Educator 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 Peer Health Educators 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.
What soft skills should all Peer Health Educators possess?
Tina Di Franco: The most important soft skills are:
-Leadership skills - a true leader is someone who can inspire others, encourage creativity, and ignite excitement about the mission of the organization.
-The ability to work collaboratively in a team to accomplish organizational goals. Public health is a multi-disciplinary endeavor, and the importance of teamwork cannot be over-emphasized. It is through this collaboration that strategic plans can be operationalized.
-The ability to communicate effectively. That is, to articulate one's position and be able to actively listen to others.
-Flexibility and Adaptability. Healthcare is a dynamic process, and one must be able to adjust the strategies and approaches to best meet the needs of those we serve. Subsumed in this skill is the ability to problem-solve based on the evidence and data available at the time. However, public health is somewhat like a game of chess. There has to be an ability to anticipate fluctuations in the needs of the community based on the scientific evidence available. Critical thinking will lead to strategic decision-making and implementation.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Peer Health Educators?
Tina Di Franco: Computer skills, including proficiency in excel, data visualization platforms, and PowerPoint. Staying current in healthcare technology advancements and data analytics is of utmost importance.
Dr. Deborah Smith
Professor of Teacher EducationSaginaw Valley State University
Department of Teacher Education - Middle/Secondary Education
What skills stand out on Peer Health Educator resumes?
Dr. Deborah Smith: Actual classroom experience stands out, as do other interactions with students related to the position sought. So, for example, working with Special Olympics helps those seeking a SPED position. Coaching experience helps, especially if it's with students the same age as will be taught. Tutoring stands out, as do technological skills that can be highlighted with the portfolio submitted for the position.
Ellen Baker
Director of Educator Licensure ProgramsThe University of Vermont
Education Department
What skills stand out on Peer Health Educator resumes?
Ellen Baker: In general, employers are interested in the breadth and frequency of authentic field experiences where the candidates have the opportunity to align theory and practice. They also look for extra activities that the candidates have participated in after school, during the summers, and on weekends that enhance their skills and knowledge. These experiences are evidence of initiative and dedication to the profession.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Peer Health Educators?
Ellen Baker: Working with technology as an instructional tool as well as record keeping and gathering of data. Candidates need to be able to look at data regarding a student and utilize that data to inform their instruction.
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.
Associate Dean of EducationKing's College
Education Department
What skills stand out on Peer Health Educator resumes?
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.: I find compassion, communication, collaboration, and accountability stand out the most for me on educator resumes.
Corey Hannah
Program Director, Master of Science in Athletic TrainingUniversity of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Department of Kinesiology
What skills stand out on Peer Health Educator 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 soft skills should all Peer Health Educators possess?
Corey Hannah: Empathy, sensitivity, and confidentiality in a medical environment, confidence, and trust to ensure credibility.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Peer Health Educators?
Corey Hannah: Content and pedagogical knowledge, ability to transfer knowledge from the classroom to clinical experiences. Faculty and students need to have a sense of problem-solving and critical thinking skills that drives their practice.
What skills will help Peer Health Educators 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)
What soft skills should all Peer Health Educators possess?
Jo Ann Donnenwirth: Soft skills are important in every professional career. The soft skills that I find most important and look for are enthusiasm to keep listeners' attention, approachability to help answer questions, confidence, and integrity in their work.
Thomas Matula Ph.D.
Professor of Business AdministrationBusiness Specialist
Business Administration Department
What skills stand out on Peer Health Educator resumes?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: The ability to handle the technology and software for remote work. Students who have taken multiple courses online will have an advantage as successful remote learning requires the same skills as successful remote work.
What soft skills should all Peer Health Educators possess?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: The ability to communicate in a digital setting and the discipline to work remotely. Also, remote work requires a very different mindset. Instead of focusing on inputs, like hours at a desk, the focus shifts to output, the number of completed tasks accomplished each week. This is going to be especially hard for managers who are used to counting inputs and not measuring outputs.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Peer Health Educators?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: Understanding the Apps used and being able to use the devices needed for remote work.
Dr. Cheryl Gaddis
Associate Professor of Practice and Chair, Department of Public Health, Director, Master of Public Health ProgramMercer University
Department of Public Health
What soft skills should all Peer Health Educators possess?
Dr. Cheryl Gaddis: The soft skills that are most important for a Public Health Educator are those that clearly exhibit their ability to interact with communities on an interpersonal level. These skills include effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy. The public health educator should exemplify cultural competency, demonstrating equitable practices through the application of ethical conduct with respect for dignity and inclusivity of diverse populations.
Andrew Sobel Ph.D.
Director and Professor of Global StudiesWashington University in St. Louis
Global Studies
What hard/technical skills are most important for Peer Health Educators?
Andrew Sobel Ph.D.: Demonstrable, marketable skills: critical thinking furthered by interdisciplinary study, intercultural sensitivity and awareness, adaptability and flexibility, etc.
Our grads land in a wide variety of settings such as grad school, many head to policy-oriented jobs in DC or in NGOs here and abroad, consultancies, corporate positions, etc.
What skills will help Peer Health Educators earn the most?
Beverly Johnson: Increased education and certifications, along with time in the profession, will help increase salary potential. Some positions, such as Special Education or administrative positions within education, may pay more.
What soft skills should all Peer Health Educators possess?
Beverly Johnson: Communication, teamwork, enthusiasm & creativity. Be thoughtful about how to incorporate these into a resume. Again, listing them in a skills section is less impactful than demonstrating them in the experiences.
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.
Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher EducationBethel University
Education Leadership
What Peer Health Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: Dr. Marta Shaw, a professor and administrator in our program is also a professor at Jagiellonian University and lives in Poland. She promotes a skill highlighted by UNESCO, which they refer to as "futures literacy." Their Global Futures Literacy Design Forum was an exciting event dedicated to this concept. More generally, and perhaps a more challenging skill to enhance, would be that of systems thinking. The global pandemic is illuminating the inadequacy of linear cause-and-effect models.
Additionally, collaboration is a crucial skill, so any experience working at the intersections of local and global issues would be valuable.
Melissa Kamyab
Assistant Professor, Director of Graduate ProgramCedar Crest College
Education Department
What skills stand out on Peer Health Educator resumes?
Melissa Kamyab: Teachers have such a wide variety of skills that they bring to the classroom; it is important to capture these skills on a resume by thinking of the actions which convey our skills- facilitating, organizing, developing, creating, strategizing: this gives employers a strong picture of who a candidate is and what they have accomplished in their career. Pre-service teachers who were student teaching during the pandemic in the virtual classroom and then transitioned back to in-person learning will be highly valued for this experience!
Amber Gentile
Graduate Secondary Education Program Coordinator, Middle Level Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Teacher EducationCabrini University
Teacher Education Program
What experience really stands out on Peer Health Educator resumes?
Amber Gentile: Experience working with children stands out due to the experience itself and that it reflects an interest in working with youth. It also helps if teacher candidates have experience working in an urban setting or an underperforming school to appreciate the challenges that may exist in the field. It allows candidates to speak of personal experiences in an interview that highlights the challenges they have witnessed/experienced and how they worked to overcome them. Educators need to be in it for the kids.
The experience that shows leadership capabilities and active involvement in projects is a stand out as well. We need teacher leaders and educators who get involved and make active contributions to the betterment of the community.
What Peer Health Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amber Gentile: It is recommended that graduates continuously look to enhance their inter and intrapersonal skill sets. It is when we "push ourselves" beyond our "comfort zones" that growth is maximized. Graduates should get involved in something that matters to them and challenges them. Being passionate about something experienced and of interest helps a teacher candidate to stand out. Volunteering in schools and organizations that are mission-oriented in improving children's lives is very beneficial for both personal and professional growth.
Being involved in experiences interacting with and supporting children's holistic development can help build a skill set to guide future work. Social, emotional, and relationship-building skills are critical in the classroom. The key is knowing how to help students develop these skills. It is also an excellent idea to enhance one's comfort with, and knowledge of, technology and how it can increase engagement and student learning. This enhanced skillset can be accomplished through formal courses, webinars, and personal exploration.
Essential skills include data-driven decision-making, lessons to support kids' social and emotional needs, community building, culturally relevant and sustaining education practices, understanding of trauma-informed practices and instruction, and current best practices in literacy and math instruction are essential.