⭐ Bright Outlook

Health Education Specialists

O*NET 21-1091.00 · SOC 21-1091

Health Education Specialist is a solid career choice. Median pay is $64k a year with +5.6% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 6,900 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27

Projected Growth
+5.6%
2025–2035
Median Salary
$64k
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Annual Openings
7k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 4
Considerable preparation needed (bachelor's degree)

What You'd Actually Do

  • →Design health education programs targeting specific community health issues.
  • →Collect and analyze community health data to identify priority needs.
  • →Develop educational materials such as brochures, videos, or presentations.
  • →Train community health workers to deliver wellness programs effectively.
  • →Evaluate program outcomes and report results to funding agencies.

Education & How to Get In

🎯
Job Zone 4
Considerable preparation needed (bachelor's degree)

A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Health Education Specialist roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.

Get Started Learning

Ready to start building skills for a career as a Health Education Specialist? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.

Coursera
University-backed courses and certificates
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Udemy
Affordable self-paced courses from $12.99
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Skillshare
Creative and professional skill classes
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LinkedIn Learning
Professional development with certificates
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Work Environment

Primary Setting

People-facing, clinics, schools, or client sites

Work Style

Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients

A Day in the Life

While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Health Education Specialist involves a mix of core responsibilities:

MorningDesign health education programs targeting specific community health issues.
MiddayCollect and analyze community health data to identify priority needs.
AfternoonDevelop educational materials such as brochures, videos, or presentations.

Personality Fit (RIASEC)

Social (Helpers)6.2
Investigative (Thinkers)5.3
Conventional (Organizers)4.0
Enterprising (Persuaders)3.2
Artistic (Creators)2.5
Realistic (Doers)1.7

Who Thrives as Health Education Specialist?

Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.

INFJThe AdvocateENTJThe CommanderENFJThe MentorISFJThe Protector

Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →

See Open Health Education Specialist Roles

Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.

Indeed ↗LinkedIn Jobs ↗ZipRecruiter ↗

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Job Outlook

Employment of Health Education Specialists is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations. The BLS flags this as a Bright Outlook occupation.

Will AI Replace This Job?

28/100Moderate, likely AI-complementary
  • ·44% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
  • ·29% creative/strategic tasks, AI augments, doesn't replace

Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.

Common Questions

How much does a Health Education Specialist make?

The median Health Education Specialist earns $64k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.

Will AI replace Health Education Specialist jobs?

Our model puts Health Education Specialist at 28 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 44% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace; 29% creative/strategic tasks, AI augments, doesn't replace.

Is Health Education Specialist a growing field?

Employment is projected to grow 5.6% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 6,900 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.

What degree do you need to be a Health Education Specialist?

A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Health Education Specialist roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.

How long does it take to become a Health Education Specialist?

Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.

Is a Health Education Specialist career right for you?

Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.

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