Public Health Officer.
Philadelphia.
$85,000
median salary, 9% above the national average
$65,000 to $111,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
Here is what Public Health Officers actually make in Philadelphia: $65,000 at the 25th percentile, $85,000 at the median, and $111,000 at the 75th. That is 9% above the national average. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
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How Philadelphia compares
Philadelphia, PA
$85,000
Cost of living: 9% above average
National Average
$78,000
Philadelphia is $7,000 above
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Public Health Officer roles in Philadelphia, here is what you are walking into. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. The city's pharmaceutical corridor is among the strongest in the country. Tech growth has accelerated, particularly in health tech and enterprise software, offering salaries that stretch further than in nearby New York. Degree level and jurisdictional scope are the primary drivers. MPH holders earn 15 to 25% more than bachelor's-level staff, and MD or DrPH credentials push salaries higher. Federal agencies (CDC, NIH) pay more than state or local health departments. Epidemiology and biostatistics specializations command premiums over general public health administration.
Entry-level public health analysts start at $60,000 to $70,000. Mid-level epidemiologists and program managers earn $78,000 to $102,000 after four to six years. Health department directors reach $110,000 to $150,000, with state health officers earning $140,000 to $200,000. In Philadelphia, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Federal public health officers receive GS-scale pay, locality adjustments, TSP retirement matching, and generous leave accrual. Commissioned Corps officers in the USPHS receive military-equivalent benefits including tax-free housing allowances and early retirement eligibility. And on the tax side: pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, but Philadelphia adds a 3.75% city wage tax for residents. This combined local burden is worth factoring into salary negotiations. When someone quotes you $85,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income. The range for Public Health Officers in Philadelphia runs from $65,000 to $111,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Philadelphia
Negotiating in Philadelphia
Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income.