Oregon spent more than $62.7 million on public health in fiscal year 2013-14. This funding was augmented by federal spending of an additional $77.5 million from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and more than $108.3 million from the health Resources and Services Administration. This level of spending directly contributes to funding strong salaries for public health officials, and helps to ensure Oregon fills critical positions in the public health sector.
Oregon was the twelfth healthiest state in the country in 2014 according to the United Health Foundation. The state’s public health strengths include a high level of physical activity among residents, and low rates of preventable hospitalizations.
Oregon’s Public Health Division is highly proactive in making improvements to the state of public health through education and prevention efforts, monitoring chronic and infectious diseases, and advocating for progressive public health policies.
In 2015, epidemiologists from this division tracked an outbreak of Meningococcal disease at the University of Oregon and closely monitored a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza in domestic birds in Douglas County.
Its Environmental Health Assessment team works with agency partners and local communities to assess and prevent exposure to toxins at Superfund and other contaminated sites such as those in Willamette Cove and on Highway 36.
State and local public health officials – working with non-governmental organizations, healthcare providers and academic researchers – have made highly significant inroads to improve the health and safety of Oregon’s residents.
Public Health Salaries in Multnomah and Washington Counties
The State of Oregon Employment Department provides the salaries for a number of public health professionals who worked in Multnomah and Washington counties in 2014. These professionals earned a range of salaries, but those with advanced degrees such as a Master of Public Health are likely to earn on the higher end of the scale:
Salary Analysis for Public Health Professionals Throughout Oregon
In 2014, the median salary among epidemiologists in Oregon was $71,094, and those in the 90th percentile earned an average of $74,610 a year according to the State of Oregon Employment Department.
The data below reflects a statewide analysis of salaries for public health professionals in Oregon as conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2014:
