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Public Health Journalist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Perks include 100% health, vision and dental benefits, 50% 401(k) match up to 6% of your salary ... Write and package content that highlights new trends, insights, and/or findings and drives PR ...

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Data Journalist

Chicago, IL ยท On-site +1

$60K - $65K/yr

Perks include 100% health, vision and dental benefits, 50% 401(k) match up to 6% of your salary ... Write and package content that highlights new trends, insights, and/or findings and drives PR ...

Data Visuals Journalist

New York, NY ยท On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

... jobs report or a public filing or research report and uncovers trends and develops original ... Comprehensive Healthcare Plans * Paid Time Off * Retirement Plans * Comprehensive Medical, Dental ...

As an Opinion Journalist, you will serve as an essential voice in our public-facing programming ... Robust mental health resources * Backup care and caregiver concierge services * Gender affirming ...

Opinion Journalist

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$137K - $228K/yr

As an Opinion Journalist, you will serve as an essential voice in our public-facing programming ... Robust mental health resources * Backup care and caregiver concierge services * Gender affirming ...

Craft compelling content --articles, headlines, and social media posts--that enhance public ... Demonstrated professional writing experience, preferably in science, health, or technology.

Public Affairs Specialist 3

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$6.5K - $10K/mo

Oregon Health Authority Salary Range: $6,581.00-$10,105.00 Position Type: Employee Position Title ... journalism, behavioral science, social science, or related field AND five years of professional ...

Multimedia Journalist

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$17.75 - $24/hr

Checks reference materials such as books, news files or public records to obtain relevant facts ... personal days, health insurance plans, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, 401K ...

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Public Health Journalist information

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$30K

$61K

$131K

How much do public health journalist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for public health journalist in the United States is $60,979.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public health journalist?

A Public Health Journalist researches, writes, and reports on health-related topics to inform the public about issues like disease outbreaks, healthcare policies, and wellness trends. They work for media outlets, health organizations, or as freelancers, using credible sources to convey accurate and engaging content. Their goal is to make complex health information accessible and relevant to a broad audience, often translating scientific research into understandable stories.

What types of stories or topics does a public health journalist typically cover?

Public Health Journalists often report on issues such as disease outbreaks, vaccination campaigns, healthcare policy changes, emerging health research, and the social determinants of health. They may also cover topics related to community health, environmental risks, mental health, and public health initiatives at the local, national, or global level. This role requires working closely with health experts, public officials, and affected communities to ensure timely and accurate coverage. On a daily basis, you might find yourself interviewing sources, attending press briefings, analyzing scientific reports, and crafting articles or multimedia pieces for various platforms.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public health journalist?

To thrive as a Public Health Journalist, you need strong reporting, research, and writing skills, often supported by a degree in journalism, communications, or public health. Familiarity with data analysis tools, health statistics databases, and digital publishing platforms is highly beneficial in this field. Outstanding communication, curiosity, and the ability to translate complex health information for a general audience set top journalists apart. These skills are vital for producing accurate, compelling stories that inform and educate the public on critical health issues.

More about Public Health Journalist jobs
What cities are hiring for Public Health Journalist jobs? Cities with the most Public Health Journalist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Public Health Journalist jobs? The most popular types of Public Health Journalist jobs are:
What states have the most Public Health Journalist jobs? States with the most job openings for Public Health Journalist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Public Health Journalist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Public Health Journalist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Public Health Journalist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,979 per year, or $29.3 per hour.

Social Media & Digital Engagement Specialist (Public Health)

Ripple Effect

Rockville, MD โ€ข On-site, Remote

$68K - $76K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

General Information
  • Job Code: SHR-HC-02
  • Location: Ripple Effect Headquarters - Rockville, MD
  • Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular
  • Telework: Fully Remote
  • Salary Range: $68,385.00 - $76,932.00 (how we pay and promote)

Position Overview
Are you passionate about bridging science and storytelling to improve public health?
As a Social Media & Digital Engagement Specialist you will support public health communications initiatives through the development, management, and dissemination of digital content across multiple channels. This role combines health communications expertise with social media strategy and audience engagement to ensure accurate, accessible, and impactful public health messaging. The incumbent executes communications campaigns, manages digital engagement activities, develops science-based content, monitors performance metrics, and contributes to continuous improvement efforts while working under direct supervision with increasing independence.
While not an exhaustive list, key duties for the position include:
  • Managing and maintaining social media content across platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, and emerging digital channels
  • Developing and executing social media and digital engagement plans that align with public health priorities, communication objectives, and campaign goals
  • Creating and editing a variety of health communication products, including social media content, newsletters, communication plans, messaging documents, marketing collateral, website content, presentations, and outreach materials
  • Translating complex scientific, technical, and public health information into clear, audience-focused messaging using plain language and health literacy best practices
  • Supporting public health social marketing initiatives by coordinating content deployment across multiple communication channels and tracking campaign performance
  • Monitoring audience engagement, social media conversations, and stakeholder interactions while identifying opportunities to improve reach and impact
  • Preparing reports and dashboards that summarize communication metrics, engagement trends, and performance insights
  • Contributing to branding, style guides, communication standards, and quality assurance processes to ensure consistency and compliance across communication products
  • Tracking schedules, editorial calendars, and project timelines to support timely delivery of communications products and campaigns
  • Supporting client and stakeholder engagement through professional communications, meeting participation, and responsive service delivery
  • Identifying communication challenges, recommending improvements, and contributing to continuous process enhancement efforts
  • Providing informal guidance and quality review support for junior team members as appropriate

Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Health, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Digital Media, Health Promotion, or a related field
  • At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in health communications, public affairs, digital communications, social media management, marketing, or related fields
  • Experience developing communication materials and digital content for public-facing audiences

Basic Requirements
  • Experience managing organizational social media platforms and implementing content strategies
  • Experience developing written communications products such as newsletters, messaging documents, blog posts, website content, communication plans, or social media campaigns
  • Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to translate technical or scientific information into plain-language content
  • Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to execute instructions.
  • Knowledge of public health communications, audience engagement, and health literacy best practices
  • Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting communication or social media performance metrics
  • Experience using social media management and scheduling platforms
  • Experience supporting public health awareness campaigns, social marketing initiatives, or health promotion programs
  • Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.

Skills That Set You Apart
  • Experience supporting federal health agencies such as CDC, NIH, CMS, HHS, or other public health organizations
  • Experience with social media management platforms such as Hootsuite, Sprinklr, Sprout Social, Buffer, or similar tools
  • Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements, digital accessibility standards, and plain language guidance
  • Basic knowledge of AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks.

Benefits
At Ripple Effect, we reward our employees for their contributions to our mission. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and a range of programs that support your work/life balance and personalized preferences.
Learn more about our benefits and culture here.