Salary guide
Public Health Officer Salary Guide (2026)
Growing demand across all levels of government with strong mid-career earnings.
Entry level
$46,000
Typical starting range
National median
$72,000
Most common salary
Experienced (75th %ile)
$98,000
Stronger long-run earnings
Top earners (90th %ile)
$135,000
Upper-end compensation
BLS code
11-9111
Total jobs
58,000
Hiring outlook
+10% (Much faster than average)Overview
Public health officers and managers at city, county, state, and federal agencies saw demand accelerate sharply following the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal positions — especially at the CDC, NIH, FDA, and HRSA — sit on the GS schedule with locality pay. The Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service is a uniformed service with pay equivalent to military officers. State health department salaries vary considerably, with coastal states leading. Many roles qualify for PSLF.
Career intelligence
Hiring outlook
Healthy. Public health, regulation, and community-response work have stronger than average demand.
Pension quality
Typically strong in state and county systems with good long-term benefits.
Overtime potential
Low to moderate, except during emergency-response or surge periods.
Competition level
Moderate. Specialized training matters, but public-sector demand supports solid placement opportunities.
Shift and schedule
Usually regular schedules with event-driven exceptions during emergencies or field operations.
Highest-paying states
State salary references for Public Health Officers. Sort the list or compare two states side by side.
Lowest-paying states
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | $46,000 |
| West Virginia | $48,000 |
| Arkansas | $50,000 |
| South Dakota | $52,000 |
| Idaho | $54,000 |
Benefits and total compensation
Base salary is only part of the picture. Government employers often add 30–50% in benefits value on top of base pay through pensions, overtime structures, healthcare, and longevity-based progression.
PSLF eligibility for federal and government-entity roles
Defined-benefit pension (FERS or state equivalent)
Comprehensive health benefits
Continuing education and professional development funding
Commissioned Corps officers receive military-equivalent pay and benefits
Paid MPH/DrPH study leave at some agencies
What affects your pay
Federal vs. state vs. local health department
Advanced degree — MPH, MD, DrPH opens director-level positions
Licensure and certifications (REHS, CPH, nursing license)
Specialization — epidemiology, environmental health, health administration
Grant funding cycles affect local health department compensation
Supervisory vs. field/program roles
Practice before applying
See how the Public Health Officer exam path actually works
Use the study guide to understand the testing format, then jump into practice before you apply. It is the fastest way to compare pay upside with the exam track behind it.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics reference data. Figures on this page are directional occupation-level salary references, not agency-specific pay schedules. Total compensation including benefits, overtime, and pension contributions may differ substantially from base salary. Last reviewed: July 2026.