Health Education Specialists
Community and Social Service
Uses surveys and other assessments to find out what a community needs, then plans programs that encourage healthier habits, policies, and surroundings. Writes and distributes materials on topics such as smoking and vaccines, and presents workshops, conferences, and school or community sessions. Keeps mailing lists and databases current, records how many people were reached, and works with agencies, health specialists, and civic groups to set goals and fill service gaps. May supervise staff who carry out the programs and manage the budget for them. Suits people who like clear writing, teaching groups, and turning data into practical public-health work.
Typical education: Associate’s Degree (2-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$64'070
Median Wage Market Position
$64'070
What you might do
- Prepare handouts on smoking, vaccines, and similar topics
- Deliver workshops in schools and community settings
- Run surveys to find a community's health needs
- Meet civic groups to set shared health goals
- Maintain mailing lists and program contact lists
- Log presentations given and people reached
Skills that matter
- Writing reports, bulletins, and visual aids
- Leading workshops and community presentations
- Listening when assessing community health needs
- Partnering with agencies on public health goals
- Training staff to carry out health programs
- Using survey findings to set program priorities
AI & the future of this role
Program content, outreach materials, and data tracking are areas where AI could take on more of the workload. Face-to-face facilitation, community trust, and adapting messages to local needs still tend to matter, though purely digital education work may soften.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details