How to become a health education specialist
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not..A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
What health education specialists do
- Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
- Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals.
- Provide program information to the public by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, or maintaining program-related Web sites.
- Develop and maintain health education libraries to provide resources for staff and community agencies.
- Design and conduct evaluations and diagnostic studies to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.
- Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Is health education specialist a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 26% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Maryland $104,470
- District of Columbia $103,330
- Georgia $99,400
- Pennsylvania $80,670
- Minnesota $78,400
Health Education Specialists salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.