Health Education Specialists
Health education specialists plan and manage programs that help people and communities adopt healthier lifestyles. They work in schools, hospitals, government agencies, nonprofits, and workplaces, using data to understand what health issues matter most locally, then designing and evaluating programs to address them.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against health education specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A health education specialist might spend time analyzing survey data to identify which health topics affect their community most, meeting with program partners to plan an upcoming initiative, or delivering educational sessions to a specific audience. They also track program attendance and outcomes, write reports for funders, and adjust programs based on what the data shows is actually working.
Who this work suits
Holland code SIC. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You're suited to this work if you're naturally curious about social problems and enjoy gathering and examining data to understand them. You also tend to be motivated by helping others make better choices, and you're comfortable working with diverse groups to design solutions together.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold an associate degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Openings right now
- Supervisory Health Care Education Specialist · Veterans Health Administration · Prescott, Arizona · $89508–$116362
- Health System Specialist- Health Professions Education (HPE) Specialist · Veterans Health Administration · Buffalo, New York · $64543–$101524
- Health System Specialist- Health Professions Education (HPE) Specialist · Veterans Health Administration · Lexington, Kentucky · $61722–$97087
- Health Professions Education (HPE) Specialist · Veterans Health Administration · Little Rock, Arkansas · $61722–$97087
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $65,850 | $104,470 | $140,670 | 2,220 |
| District of Columbia | $74,470 | $103,330 | $132,620 | 680 |
| Georgia | $66,770 | $99,400 | $133,720 | 3,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,530 | $80,670 | $98,010 | 2,690 |
| Minnesota | $60,190 | $78,400 | $99,130 | 1,250 |
| Washington | $64,040 | $77,420 | $84,600 | 1,750 |
| Iowa | $58,510 | $75,750 | $85,260 | 540 |
| Oregon | $66,420 | $75,500 | $94,870 | 840 |
| Rhode Island | $56,570 | $75,360 | $98,240 | 150 |
| Colorado | $57,490 | $74,150 | $98,740 | 750 |
| Wisconsin | $61,950 | $74,040 | $84,960 | 900 |
| New Jersey | $58,530 | $73,740 | $115,420 | 1,420 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) — National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
- Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) — National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
- National Board Certification - Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood - Health Education — National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
- Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) — National Board for Respiratory Care
- Certified in Public Health (CPH) — National Board of Public Health Examiners
- Health Care Instructor — American Phlebotomy Association
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against health education specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 21-1091.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.