A health education specialist teaches people how to make healthy choices and prevent disease. You'll work in schools, clinics, nonprofits, or public health agencies. The role requires an associate degree and strong communication skills. It's in demand and lets you make a real difference in your community.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Health education specialists design and deliver programs that help people understand health topics and build healthy habits. You'll communicate with supervisors and community members to understand what your audience needs. You'll research current health information, interpret it in ways people can understand, and teach it through classes, workshops, or one-on-one conversations. You'll also monitor how well your programs work and update them based on what you learn. The work draws on knowledge of education, psychology, public safety, and customer service.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Health Education Specialists earn a median of $64,070 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 7,900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need an associate degree to enter this field. Your coursework will cover education and training, English language, and administrative practices. During your studies, you'll develop strong speaking and writing skills, learn active listening, and practice critical thinking. Many programs include internships or practicums in schools or health agencies. After completing your degree, you can apply for positions in public health departments, schools, hospitals, or community organizations. Some employers may require additional certifications or training specific to their programs.
Most paths to this career start with an associate degree, though some roles may prefer or require additional preparation. If you're deciding where to begin, Pathly can map the health education specialist path that fits you with your counselor to map out the right timeline and next steps for you.
You do not need a license to work as a health education specialist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to work that helps people. You enjoy teaching, building relationships, and solving problems together. You're a strong communicator who listens well and thinks critically about how to reach different audiences.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).