Health Educator

    Medical Assistant & Health Sciences

    CIP Name: Health and Wellness Specialist|CIP Code: 51.0001
    SOC Codes: 21-1091, 21-1094

    A program of study that prepares individuals to assume roles as health/wellness professionals in private business and industry, community organizations, and health care settings.

    $57K
    Median Salary
    +7.9%
    Job Growth
    3mo-1.5yr
    Training
    7.8K
    Jobs/Year

    What Health Educators Do

    A program of study that prepares individuals to assume roles as health/wellness professionals in private business and industry, community organizations, and health care settings.

    Common Tasks

    Health Education Specialists

    • 1Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
    • 2Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
    • 3Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
    • 4Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
    • 5Develop and present health education and promotion programs, such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.

    What You'll Learn

    personal healthcommunity health and welfarenutritionepidemiologydisease preventionfitness and exercisehealth behaviors

    Types of Health Educators

    Certified Diabetes EducatorClinical InstructorCommunity Health ConsultantEducation CoordinatorHealth Education CoordinatorHealth Education SpecialistHealth EducatorHealth Promotion SpecialistPublic Health EducatorPublic Information OfficerApprise CounselorCommunity Health Outreach WorkerCommunity Health Program CoordinatorCommunity Health Program Representative (Community Health Program Rep)Community Health PromoterCommunity Health Worker (CHW)Community Nutrition EducatorHIV CTS Specialist (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Counseling and Testing Services Specialist)

    Work Environment

    Locations

    • • Public health departments
    • • Hospitals and clinics
    • • Community nonprofits
    • • Schools and universities
    • • Corporate wellness programs

    Schedule

    Most roles follow a set weekday schedule, with occasional evenings or weekends for community events and presentations under moderate time pressure.

    Physical Demands

    Work is mostly desk-based with significant sitting, plus periods of standing and walking during outreach, workshops, or events. Physical strain is generally low, but repetitive computer work and carrying materials can be common.

    Salary & Job Outlook

    Median $57,015
    $40,082$95,732+
    Entry Level
    10th percentile
    $40,082
    Early Career
    25th percentile
    $47,122
    Median
    50th percentile
    $57,015
    Experienced
    75th percentile
    $73,798
    Top Earners
    90th percentile
    $95,732+

    National Employment: 136,899 jobs

    Top Paying States

    Why Demand May Grow

    Demand may rise as communities and employers invest more in chronic disease prevention, vaccination outreach, and wellness programs. Growth in public health initiatives and data-driven community needs assessments can also increase hiring.

    Skills You'll Need

    Public speaking and presentation skillsHealth coaching and motivational interviewingProgram planning and evaluationData tracking and basic analytics (spreadsheets/databases)Cultural competence and empathyClear writing for educational materialsCommunity outreach and relationship-buildingOrganization and time management

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Meaningful work improving community health
    • Variety of settings (clinics, nonprofits, schools, employers)
    • Strong communication and leadership skill development
    • Generally predictable schedules
    • Growing need for prevention and wellness programs

    Cons

    • Funding can be grant-dependent and uncertain
    • Emotional stress when working with high-need populations
    • Documentation and reporting can be heavy
    • May require travel and evening community events
    • Program outcomes can be slow to measure
    FAQ

    Common Questions About the Health Educator Trade

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