How long does it take to become a health education specialist?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do health education specialists make?

The US median is $64,070 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a health education specialist?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a health education specialist?

780 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a health education specialist

Community & social service · SOC 21-1091

$64,070US median pay, 2025

+5.6%Projected growth, 2025–35

6,900Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a health education specialist

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Public Health, General	CIP 51.2201	436
Health and Wellness, General	CIP 51.0001	191
Public Health Education and Promotion	CIP 51.2207	154
Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling	CIP 51.1504	99
International Public Health/International Health	CIP 51.2210	72
Health Communication	CIP 09.0905	56
Behavioral Aspects of Health	CIP 51.2212	44
Maternal and Child Health	CIP 51.2209	20
Dental Public Health and Education	CIP 51.0504	15

See the 780 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a health education specialist?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do health education specialists make?: The US median is $64,070 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a health education specialist?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a health education specialist?: 780 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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