Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Southern New Hampshire University
Featured Program: Various Degrees in Nursing & Health Care
The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for a Health Communications around the country.
What We Do
Health communications specialists, who are also known as health communication experts, are responsible for using a mastery of written and oral communication to relay important information. These professionals typically provide information about medical treatments, disease prevention, and offer advice on healthy living practices to the public. Typically, a health communication specialist will spend much of their time using printed materials, outreach, the internet, and other forms of media in order to influence policy on important healthcare matters and public opinion.
Work Environment
Health communications specialists typically work within the offices of PR firms, in educational administrations, or in government agencies, among a range of other areas. It’s typical for long business hours and overtime to be common within this career, and competition for job opportunities is often very strong, particularly at the level of management.
How to Become a Health Communications
If you’re interested in getting a career in health communications, a good place to start would be within a four-year college or university. The chances are that you’ll have to look for a bachelor’s degree program in communications, public relations, or public health, which should prepare you for a master’s degree in health communication. When enrolled in a graduate degree program for health communication, you should learn how to harness various principles associated with public relations, and communication, and how to provide health information to the public. These students often study biostatistics, epidemiology, professional communication, and health communication technology.
Training & Certification Requirements
Health communications specialists who want to earn a better range of career opportunities should always consider master’s level degrees and even doctorate degrees. These studies will offer them a range of opportunities designed to help them get involved with health communication on a managerial or research-based level. There are currently online master’s degrees available in health education and public relations, as well as PhD degrees in public health in both an online and offline format.
Health Communications Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Health Communications.
| Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Project Manager App | $102,000 |
| Behavioral Therapist | $33,000 |
| Administrative Support Customer Service | $65,000 |
| Computers & IT | $66,000 |
| Outside Solar Sales Consultant | $97,000 |
| Program Eligibility Specialist | $38,000 |
| Assistant Operations Manager | $41,000 |
| RN Surgical Services | $76,000 |
| RN Specialist | $48,000 |
| Program Associate | $23,000 |
Health Communications Earning Potential
The median annual wage available for community health workers and health educators, including health communications specialists was approximately $43,840, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2015.
Health Communications Job Outlook
Employment for health communication specialists is projected to grow at a rate of approximately 13% between the years of 2014 and 2024, according to the BLS. This is faster than the average growth for most occupations. This level of growth is likely to be driven by overall efforts to reduce healthcare costs, and improve health outcomes by teaching people healthy behaviors and habits.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Health Communications was $73,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide are 26% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Health Communications Salary by State
The following lists Health Communications salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $92,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $45,000.
| Alaska – $54,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Workplace Alaska, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and Safeway. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Alabama – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kindred At Home, Starbucks, Fresenius Medical Care, and UAB Medicine – UA Health Services Foundation (UAHSF). | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Arkansas – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, SONIC® Drive-In, Kindred At Home, and APEX Communications. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Arizona – $60,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Banner Health, Starbucks, State of Arizona, and University of Arizona. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| California – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Starbucks, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Best Buy. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Colorado – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Starbucks, Safeway, and University of Colorado. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Connecticut – $84,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Yale New Haven Hospital, Starbucks, and Best Buy. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| DC – $92,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Starbucks, Leidos, and General Dynamics – Information Technology. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Delaware – $64,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nemours, Best Buy, BAYADA Home Health Care, and Christiana Care. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Florida – $68,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Starbucks, Premier Health Partners, and Lee Memorial Health System. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Georgia – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Northside Hospital, Starbucks, and InSearch Medical. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Hawaii – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Starbucks, Kaiser Permanente, HMSA, and Fresenius Medical Care. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Iowa – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UnityPoint Health, Genesis Health System, Catholic Health Initiatives, and Care Initiatives. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Idaho – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Luke's Health System, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center – Boise, Consulate Health Care, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Illinois – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Advocate Health Care, Starbucks, and Best Buy. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Indiana – $70,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Indiana University Health, Dungarvin, Bloomington Hospital, and Beacon Health System. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Kansas – $67,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SONIC® Drive-In, Olathe Health System, Starbucks, and The University of Kansas Hospital. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Kentucky – $63,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, University of Kentucky, KentuckyOne Health, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Louisiana – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Ochsner Health System, SONIC® Drive-In, and Christus Health. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Massachusetts – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER, Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH), and Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH). | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Maryland – $75,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MedStar Health – Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University, JOHNS HOPKINS HEALTH SYSTEM, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Maine – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Southern Maine Health Care, MaineGeneral Health, St. Joseph Hospital, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Michigan – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Michigan Health System, Subway, Dortch Enterprises, and University of Michigan. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Minnesota – $64,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Allina Health, Mayo Clinic, UnitedHealth Group, and Fairview Health Services. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Missouri – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mercy, Express Scripts, SONIC® Drive-In, and SSM Health. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Mississippi – $76,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, SONIC® Drive-In, and McAlisters. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Montana – $61,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Montana, St. Peter's Hospital, Billings Health & Rehabilitation Community, and Kalispell Regional Medical Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| North Carolina – $70,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Moses Cone Health System, Duke University and Duke University Health System, and Novant Health. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| North Dakota – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanford Health, St. Alexius Health, Best Buy, and Catholic Health Initiatives. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Nebraska – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, The Nebraska Medical Center, Tabitha, and Cabela's Inc.. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New Hampshire – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genesis Healthcare, Elliot Hospital, AmeriCorps, and D-H Lebanon DHMC Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New Jersey – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Meridian Health, Barnabas Health, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New Mexico – $64,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Presbyterian Healthcare Services, SONIC® Drive-In, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Nevada – $56,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Starbucks, UnitedHealth Group, Panda Express, and HealthCare Partners. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New York – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Starbucks, NYU Langone Medical Center, PSA Healthcare, and Best Buy. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Ohio – $70,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mercy Health, Premier Health Partners, University Hospitals, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Oklahoma – $67,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Saint Francis Health System, Mercy, SONIC® Drive-In, and OU Medical Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Oregon – $71,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Starbucks, Oregon Health & Science University, and Kaiser Permanente. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Pennsylvania – $70,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Geisinger Health System, UPMC, and St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Rhode Island – $66,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Seven Hills Foundation, and Lifespan. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| South Carolina – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Kindred At Home, Starbucks, and Fresenius Medical Care. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| South Dakota – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanford Health, WR Hospitality, Regional Health, and McCall & Lee, LLC. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Tennessee – $68,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Starbucks, Erlanger Health Systems, and Cox Oil Co and Maverick Inc.. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Texas – $71,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Starbucks, SONIC® Drive-In, and Baylor Scott & White Health. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Utah – $57,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Utah Health Care, University of Utah, Premier Health Partners, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Virginia – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Starbucks, Leidos, and Carilion Clinic. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Vermont – $64,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Elior North America, BAYADA Home Health Care, Rutland Regional Medical Center, and Porter Medical Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Washington – $75,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PSA Healthcare, Starbucks, Providence Health & Services, and Safeway. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Wisconsin – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aurora HealthCare, UW Hospitals & Clinics, Starbucks, and Froedtert. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| West Virginia – $69,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WVU Healthcare, Par Mar Oil Company, Genesis Healthcare, and Kindred At Home. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Wyoming – $60,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
| Average Health Communications salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Health Communications salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, Banner Health, West Park Hospital, and Starbucks. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
