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What degree do I need to work at the CDC?

Author

Jessica Hardy

Updated on March 05, 2026

What degree do I need to work at the CDC?

Applicants must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position.

Furthermore, what degree do you need to work for the CDC?

Those who want to land a position as a health scientist at the CDC will need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or a related field. Most will be expected to gain a graduate-level degree. As with many government jobs, there is a one-year probation period for new hires at this position.

Also Know, can I work for the CDC with a bachelor's degree? We have a variety of fellowship opportunities for individuals who have, or will soon have, a college degree. These programs can help jump-start a career in protecting the public's health.

One may also ask, how do you get a job at the CDC?

  1. Do an Internship or Fellowship. Before looking at the jobs with the CDC with a degree in healthcare, consider doing an internship with the organization.
  2. Research Career Paths.
  3. Finish Your Degree and Gain Experience.
  4. Apply and Attend Orientation.

How long does it take to get a job at the CDC?

For most positions, this is a fairly straightforward process that takes approximately three to five weeks to complete. For positions that require a higher-level “security clearance”, the background investigation process is more extensive.

Is getting a job at the CDC hard?

It is hard to find a fulltime position with CDC and, once you do, it is fairly hard to advance your career (via promotion or changing jobs within CDC) due to the application process.

Do doctors work at the CDC?

The CDC hires professionals from many different fields, including doctors, public health advisors, chemists, information technology professionals, economists, and computer scientists.

How much money do you make working for the CDC?

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Jobs by Salary
Job TitleRangeAverage
Public Health AdvisorRange:$43k - $86kAverage:$58,774
Communications SpecialistRange:$40k - $91k (Estimated *)Average:-
MicrobiologistRange:$43k - $103k (Estimated *)Average:-
Public Health AnalystRange:$52k - $110k (Estimated *)Average:-

How much do CDC fellowships pay?

CDC Fellowship Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$113,500$55
75th Percentile$86,500$42
Average$67,830$33
25th Percentile$38,000$18

How much do CDC nurses make?

CDC Nurse Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$123,000$59
75th Percentile$94,500$45
Average$75,521$36
25th Percentile$45,000$22

What do CDC workers do?

When you work at CDC, you take on part of our mission to help make the world a healthier place. We protect health and promote quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury and other health threats.

How much do epidemiologists make?

Epidemiologists or Medical Scientists made a median salary of $70,990 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $92,600 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $56,220.

Are CDC employees federal employees?

It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Agency overview
Employees10,899 (2015)
Annual budgetUS$11.1 billion (FY18)
Agency executivesRochelle Walensky, Director Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director

Can nurses work at the CDC?

U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Commissioned Corps officers are employed in 11 disciplines: dentists, dieticians, engineers, health service officers, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, sanitarians, scientists, therapists, and veterinarians. Officers may apply for any position in the PHS agencies.

Who is the CDC funded by?

The main source of CDC discretionary funds is budget authority, which are annual appropriations determined by the U.S. Congress.

How do you become an epidemiologist for the CDC?

Epidemiologists typically need at least a master's degree from an accredited college or university. A master's degree in public health with an emphasis in epidemiology is most common, but epidemiologists can earn degrees in a wide range of related fields and specializations.

What do you do with a degree in public health?

Public health graduates have numerous career options depending on their educational attainment, experience, and specialty. They take careers with the government, state and community public health agencies, consulting firms, research organizations, universities, hospitals, and nonprofits.

What does CDC mean?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What is an epidemiologist CDC?

Often called “Disease Detectives”, epidemiologists search for the cause of disease, identify people who are at risk, determine how to control or stop the spread or prevent it from happening again.

Where is CDC based?

The CDC is headquartered in Atlanta at 1600 Clifton Road, close to Emory University.

What is a job in public health?

People who work in public health hold the common goal of improving the health of individuals and society by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing injuries and disease, and controlling infectious diseases. They may be concerned with protecting and improving the health of a small community, or the entire planet.

Will the CDC pay for college?

Pay and Benefits

Students receive an hourly wage paid by their academic institution, and CDC reimburses the academic institution for our portion of the students' earnings. The academic institution determines the students' pay rate, and students are not eligible for federal benefits.

How competitive are CDC fellowships?

The Fellowship is highly competitive with selection of about 10% of applicants each year for the Fellowship. Fellows are doctoral or master's degree professionals with backgrounds in evaluation, behavioral and social sciences, public health, and other disciplines relevant to evaluation and CDC's work.

How many vacancies are at the CDC?

Nearly 700 vacancies at CDC because of Trump administration's hiring freeze.

How do you become an epidemiologist?

Epidemiologists typically need at least a master's degree to enter the occupation. Most epidemiologists have a master's degree in public health (MPH) or a related field, and some have completed a doctoral degree in epidemiology or medicine.

What is full time fellowship?

Full-time professional fellowships are for those who have earned at least a bachelor's degree. There are also many academic fellowships that are for graduate students and post-graduates. Some are only for graduate students working toward a Ph.

What do public health analysts make?

Public Health Analysts in America make an average salary of $68,279 per year or $33 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $94,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $49,000 per year.

Can you work for the CDC with a felony?

Can I work for the government if I have a criminal record? Yes, you can work for the Federal Government if you have a criminal record and were formerly incarcerated. People with criminal records are eligible to apply to most federal jobs, however there are some exceptions.

What does a public health advisor do?

Public health advisors offer assistance and advice on matters that involve improving public health activities. Generally, they work with local or state government to promote public health or control health hazards. The majority of public health advisors have a college degree.

What is a CDC fellowship?

The PHI/CDC Global Health Fellowship Program is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded program that offers recent global public health graduates from Council on Education in Public Health accredited schools and programs the exciting opportunity to participate in fellowships with guidance from leading

What does a health scientist do?

A health scientist is someone who works in the medical or research field, focusing their efforts on research and development of knowledge that is directly related to health. There are several different areas of specialization within the field including: Medical Microbiology. Clinical Epidemiology.

What does reviewing applications on USA Jobs mean?

The hiring agency will start reviewing applications once the job announcement closes. The hiring agency will review your application to make sure you're eligible and meet the job qualifications, and will place qualified applicants into these categories: Minimally qualified. Highest qualified.