What can you do with a bachelors in public health?
Written by: Sarah Edwards, Edited by: Arthur McMahon
Published: February 7, 2025
Have you always wanted to make the world a healthier place? Learn how you can educate and advocate for others with a bachelor's in public health degree.
What jobs can you get with a bachelor's in public health?
A bachelor's in public health degree can open doors for careers in various fields, from patient education to technology. Here are three roles that can consider pursuing after you get your degree:
Community health worker
Community health workers are responsible for providing culturally appropriate health education and advocacy for specific communities. In this role, you may:
- Offer counseling and guidance regarding particular health behaviors
- Connect people with appropriate healthcare practitioners and health services
- Advocate with politicians and public figures for community health needs
- Provide free screenings and basic first aid services to the community
- Provide translation and interpretation services for community members
- Offer health education and information via events and initiatives
In a bachelor's of public health program, you will likely encounter courses on cultural competence, behavior theory, and health coaching. This coursework will help prepare you for working with communities and individuals to improve collective and individual health outcomes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), community health workers earn a median annual salary of $48,200 as of May 2023.
Social and community service manager
Social and community service managers design and oversee programs that work toward public wellbeing. Some tasks you may take on in this role include:
- Survey communities to identify necessary social programs
- Coordinate program administration, including budgeting, policy development, and participant involvement
- Plan and coordinate outreach and marketing activities to raise awareness about community programs
- Recruit, hire, and train program staff members and volunteers
- Collect and analyze data to evaluate program effectiveness
- Meet with senior management to suggest program improvements
Your public health degree can help you prepare for this role thanks to studies in community health, public health systems, program planning, and research methods.
Social and community service managers earn a median annual salary of $77,030 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.
High school health teacher
With a degree in public health, you might also be able to land a job teaching health to high school students. However, it's important to note that you might need to pursue an additional certification alongside your degree. In a role like this, you may:
- Develop and deliver engaging and interactive lessons on various health-related topics
- Use quizzes and other assessment tools to gauge student learning
- Stay up to date on the latest health research and incorporate it into the curriculum
- Develop school-wide initiatives to promote health among the student body
- Collaborate with other staff to develop curriculum materials and address student needs
A bachelor's of public health program can prepare you for this role thanks to courses in nutrition, anatomy, and physiology, helping you deeply understand the body and what affects human health. You'll also be prepared to serve a critical role in sexual education and help curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
According to the BLS, high school teachers earn a median annual salary of $65,220 as of May 2023.