Published Jun 2, 2026 6 min read
Unless otherwise noted, salary and labor market data sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2026. Salaries reflect US national wage distributions.
Exploring career paths in health education and counseling offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives while also securing a strong financial future. Median wages in this field span from $48,688 for roles like Community Health Worker to $93,642 for specialized positions such as Lactation Consultant, showcasing a wide range of earning potential across various specialties. This list highlights some of the highest-paying careers in this impactful sector, providing insight into the diverse roles available.
1. Lactation Consultant
Salary: Median: $93,642 | Entry: $60,057 | Top: $119,421
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d teach new mothers about feeding and managing breastfeeding issues, providing clinical help and emotional support. This involves advising on feeding schedules and coordinating care for babies with slow weight gain, all while communicating effectively with families.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Management, Communication, Teaching, Planning, Research, Leadership, Customer Service, Coordinating
Top certifications: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Registered Nurse (RN), Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Top employers: Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, Houston Methodist, Albany Medical Center, AdventHealth
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2. Diabetes Educator
Salary: Median: $82,124 | Entry: $66,654 | Top: $127,804
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d teach patients and their families how to understand and manage diabetes, including how it affects their bodies. Your work would involve teaching them to monitor blood sugar, administer medications, and manage diet and activity, often using communication and planning skills in clinical settings.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Management, Communication, Leadership, Teaching, Planning, Computer Literacy, Microsoft PowerPoint, Research
Top certifications: Registered Nurse (RN), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN)
Top employers: Novo Nordisk, IQVIA, Rochester Regional Health, Medtronic, Northwell Health
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3. Genetic Counselor
Salary: Median: $83,545 | Entry: $59,009 | Top: $103,367
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d provide healthcare guidance based on genetic factors, advising patients and relatives about inherited disorders. This involves communicating the consequences, probability, and management options, requiring strong research, interpersonal communication, and coordination skills.
Typical education: Master’s degree
Top skills: Communication, Research, Management, Coordinating, Writing, Interpersonal Communications, Customer Service, Leadership
Top certifications: Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC), Board Certified/Board Eligible, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Top employers: Labcorp, Evolent Health, Ivi America, Elevance Health, Kaiser Permanente
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4. Public Health Officer
Salary: Median: $67,519 | Entry: $50,385 | Top: $100,487
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d promote public health and disease prevention, providing information on key issues. This involves coordinating public health programs, delivering public information, and using strong communication and presentation skills to address crises like disease outbreaks.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Communication, Management, Planning, Coordinating, Writing, Leadership, Research, Presentations
Top certifications: Valid Driver’s License, Registered Nurse (RN), American Red Cross (ARC) Certification
Top employers: National Association Of Chronic Disease Directors (Nacdd), State of Florida, Public Consulting Group, Staffing Solutions Organization, State of Mississippi
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5. First Aid Instructor
Salary: Median: $64,632 | Entry: $44,961 | Top: $108,262
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d provide instruction in first aid and life-saving skills, leading classes and hands-on practice in techniques like CPR. Your role involves teaching individuals and professionals, offering constructive feedback, and communicating effectively.
Typical education: High school or GED
Top skills: Teaching, Communication, Constructive Feedback, Interpersonal Communications, Customer Service, First Aid, Lifting Ability, Time Management
Top certifications: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid Certification, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Top employers: Gosvea, Swift Safety Institute, YMCA, Wset Certification Classes, Cintas
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6. Health Educator (General)
Salary: Median: $60,917 | Entry: $46,959 | Top: $85,573
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d create programs to teach and motivate people toward healthy behaviors, working with individuals or developing campaigns for larger groups. This involves planning and coordinating events like health screenings or training, using strong communication and presentation skills.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Communication, Presentations, Planning, Teaching, Coordinating, Writing, Leadership, Management
Top certifications: Valid Driver’s License, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
Top employers: Centerwell Limited Partnership, Labcorp, Ascensus, State of Florida, University of California
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7. Childbirth Educator
Salary: Median: $59,188 | Entry: $44,563 | Top: $83,150
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d lead classes to help parents and families prepare for childbirth, working with women during pregnancy. This includes providing information, support, and referrals, often utilizing teaching, communication, and presentation skills, potentially with tools like Microsoft PowerPoint.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Teaching, Communication, Microsoft PowerPoint, Leadership, Creativity, Presentations, Planning, Microsoft Outlook
Top certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, Registered Nurse (RN), Childbirth Educator Certification
Top employers: Fullmind, Fairfield, Stepping Stones, UCHealth, Kaiser Permanente
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8. Patient Advocate / Navigator
Salary: Median: $52,362 | Entry: $42,770 | Top: $75,943
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d provide direct assistance to patients, guiding them through treatment options and medical costs while offering emotional support. Your role involves advocating for patients and serving as a liaison with healthcare providers, requiring strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Typical education: High school or GED
Top skills: Communication, Customer Service, Advocacy, Management, Problem Solving, Coordinating, Scheduling, Microsoft Excel
Top certifications: Valid Driver’s License, Registered Nurse (RN), Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Top employers: Cardinal Health, Headway, CVS Health, Centene, UnitedHealth Group
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9. Health and Wellness Coach
Salary: Median: $52,083 | Entry: $40,442 | Top: $72,197
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d work with clients to establish health improvement goals and help them adopt healthy behaviors. This involves coaching and supporting clients on areas like fitness, nutrition, or stress management, using strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Communication, Coaching, Customer Service, Management, Interpersonal Communications, Microsoft Office, Operations, Time Management
Top certifications: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification, Valid Driver’s License
Top employers: YMCA, CVS Health, Sharecare, Life Time, Stretchlab
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10. Community Health Worker
Salary: Median: $48,688 | Entry: $42,010 | Top: $63,502
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d work in the community to help individuals access medical care and health resources. This includes promoting preventative care and health screenings, advocating for community needs, and coordinating with healthcare providers to improve outreach, often using strong communication skills and potentially multilingualism.
Typical education: High school or GED
Top skills: Communication, Advocacy, Multilingualism, Management, Coordinating, Writing, Computer Literacy, Customer Service
Top certifications: Valid Driver’s License, Community Health Worker Certification, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
Top employers: UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, Elevance Health, Centene, UVA Health System
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These roles demonstrate that a career in health education and counseling can be both personally rewarding and financially stable. If you’re passionate about guiding others toward healthier lives, consider exploring these and other opportunities in this dynamic field. Discover more about what you can achieve by building your professional profile.
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