Medical Anthropologist

Studies how culture shapes health, illness, and medical care.

A day in the life

Interviews patients about why they skip medications, then helps a hospital redesign its approach to fit patients' lives and beliefs.

Pay over a career

Starting

$50k

Typical

$75k

High

$115k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. Master's or PhD in anthropology or public health.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Anthropology, Public Health.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Estimate.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI can summarize interviews, but sitting with patients and redesigning care around culture stays human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, AP Psychology, A second language.

• Join HOSA
• Volunteer at a hospital or community clinic
• Interview family about health traditions

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-3091.

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Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.