Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.
Also called: Chemical Hygiene Officer · EHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer) · Health and Safety Analyst · Industrial Hygiene Consultant · Industrial Hygienist · Industrial Hygienist Consultant
Median pay (national)
$83,910
$50,610–$130,460 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
128,430
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+12.5%
~14,900 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for occupational health and safety specialists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $130,460 versus $50,610 at the bottom 10% — 2.6x. The median of $83,910 leaves roughly 55% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +12.5% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 14,900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $115,710, +38% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $44,050 — a 163% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
- Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
- Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
- Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
- Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- Curtis Management Resources Training Management System
- Database software
- EcoLogic ADAM Indoor Air Quality and Analytical Data Management
- ESS Compliance Suite
- ImageWave MSDSFinder
- Mannus Compliance: EHS
- Medgate Enterprise EHS
- Primatech AUDITWorks
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Biology
- Law and Government