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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The gap between the highest and lowest-paying cities is striking. The national median salary for Epidemiologists in 2026 is $90,783, with entry-level positions averaging $65,364 and senior roles reaching $128,912. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $165,360, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
A career as a Epidemiologist sits at the intersection of Science and Science & Research. Most professionals enter with Master's in epidemiology, and the field is characterized by high demand. The work itself is office/field. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$100,620 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Epidemiologist in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $165,360 — $100,620 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($64,740). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
The three-tier salary picture for Epidemiologists in 2026: $65,364 at entry (P10), $90,783 at midpoint, and $128,912 at the senior end (P90). The demand picture adds context to these salary numbers. The $63,548 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $10,416 above the national median household income of $80,367.
Contrast that with the lowest-paying markets: The top 3 paying cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) average $154,440 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) average $65,260. That $89,180 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
A Epidemiologist in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $165,360 — $100,620 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($64,740). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Epidemiologist is $65,364, while senior-level (P90) earners average $128,912. That $63,548 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
At the 90th percentile, Epidemiologists pull in an average of $128,912. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
Even at the 10th percentile, Epidemiologists average $65,364 nationally. That's a higher starting floor than many careers' median — a signal of strong baseline demand and compensation.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $65,364 | $90,783 | $128,912 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £35,274 | £48,991 | £69,568 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$50,206 | CA$69,731 | CA$99,018 |
| Australia | 13 | A$57,607 | A$80,010 | A$113,613 |
| Sweden | 24 | 358,965 kr | 498,562 kr | 707,959 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $78,891 | $109,571 | $155,591 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $76,237 | $105,885 | $150,357 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $75,816 | $105,300 | $149,526 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $70,200 | $97,500 | $138,450 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $69,358 | $96,330 | $136,789 |
| Washington | 8 | $68,024 | $94,478 | $134,158 |
| New York | 5 | $64,023 | $88,920 | $126,267 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $64,022 | $88,920 | $126,266 |
| Florida | 22 | $63,537 | $88,246 | $125,310 |
| Colorado | 11 | $62,440 | $86,722 | $123,145 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $62,338 | $86,580 | $122,944 |
| Nevada | 5 | $62,225 | $86,424 | $122,722 |
| Arizona | 12 | $61,916 | $85,995 | $122,113 |
| Oregon | 5 | $61,776 | $85,800 | $121,836 |
| Idaho | 3 | $61,589 | $85,540 | $121,467 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $61,102 | $84,864 | $120,507 |
| Utah | 4 | $60,934 | $84,630 | $120,175 |
| Virginia | 7 | $59,931 | $83,237 | $118,197 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $59,155 | $82,160 | $116,667 |
| Alaska | 1 | $58,968 | $81,900 | $116,298 |
| Illinois | 5 | $58,294 | $80,964 | $114,969 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $56,846 | $78,953 | $112,114 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $56,160 | $78,000 | $110,760 |
| Montana | 1 | $56,160 | $78,000 | $110,760 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $55,973 | $77,740 | $110,391 |
| Texas | 40 | $55,697 | $77,357 | $109,846 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $55,599 | $77,220 | $109,653 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $55,318 | $76,830 | $109,099 |
| Georgia | 6 | $55,130 | $76,570 | $108,729 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $55,037 | $76,440 | $108,545 |
| Kansas | 4 | $54,756 | $76,050 | $107,991 |
| Michigan | 6 | $54,569 | $75,790 | $107,622 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $53,914 | $74,880 | $106,330 |
| Maryland | 1 | $53,914 | $74,880 | $106,330 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $53,352 | $74,100 | $105,222 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $53,352 | $74,100 | $105,222 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $51,948 | $72,150 | $102,453 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $51,667 | $71,760 | $101,899 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $50,965 | $70,785 | $100,515 |
| Missouri | 4 | $50,965 | $70,785 | $100,515 |
| Alabama | 5 | $50,768 | $70,512 | $100,127 |
| Indiana | 3 | $49,982 | $69,420 | $98,576 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $49,982 | $69,420 | $98,576 |
| Iowa | 2 | $49,421 | $68,640 | $97,469 |
| Ohio | 6 | $49,327 | $68,510 | $97,284 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $47,174 | $65,520 | $93,038 |
At the state level, California leads with an average Epidemiologist median of $109,571 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($105,885) and Hawaii ($105,300). Entry-level numbers tell a different story: The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa — offer medians between $65,520 and $68,640. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($165,360 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $78,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $165,360 | 212 | $78,000 | $97,988 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $154,440 | 198 | $78,000 | $91,977 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $143,520 | 184 | $78,000 | $85,965 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $141,180 | 181 | $78,000 | $84,677 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $138,840 | 178 | $78,000 | $83,389 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $138,060 | 177 | $78,000 | $82,960 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $138,060 | 177 | $78,000 | $82,960 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $134,940 | 173 | $78,000 | $81,242 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $134,940 | 173 | $78,000 | $81,242 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $131,820 | 169 | $78,000 | $79,524 |
The $63,548 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Epidemiologist career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× what entry-level professionals do — a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Science & Research sector, high demand, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.
The weighted national median salary for Epidemiologists is $90,783 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $65,364, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $128,912.
The highest-paying city for Epidemiologists is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $165,360. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($165,360), Santa Clara ($154,440), Irvine ($143,520). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Epidemiologist salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $64,740. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Epidemiologists (10th percentile) average $65,364 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $119,059. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Epidemiologists average $128,912 nationally — $63,548 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Epidemiologists can earn up to $234,811.
The top-paying states for Epidemiologists are California ($109,571 median), Massachusetts ($105,885 median), Hawaii ($105,300 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Epidemiologist involves Master's in epidemiology. The field is in the Science & Research sector (Science), and the career outlook is high demand. Work style is typically office/field.
With a national median of $90,783 and representation across 288 metro areas, Epidemiologist offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $63,548 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: high demand.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.