### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			occupational health and safety specialists imageOccupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on and analyze many types of work environments and work procedures.							
						Quick Facts:     Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians2023     Median Pay
            						$77,580     per year
										$37.30     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    138,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    13% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    17,700What Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to work environments and procedures.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work in a variety of indoor or outdoor settings, such as offices and factories or construction sites. Their jobs may involve considerable travel and fieldwork. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist or Technician
                                                
                        
Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Occupational health and safety technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for occupational health and safety specialists was $81,140 in May 2023.									                                														The median annual wage for occupational health and safety technicians was $57,920 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is projected to grow							 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 17,200 openings for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about occupational health and safety specialists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians Do 
            

			Occupational health and safety specialistsOccupational health and safety specialists inspect workplaces for adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment.			
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to many types of work environments and procedures. Specialists inspect workplaces and enforce adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment. Technicians work with specialists to implement and evaluate programs aimed at mitigating risks to workers, property, the environment, and the public.
Duties
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians typically do the following:
Inspect, test, and evaluate workplace environments, programs, equipment, and practices to ensure that they follow government safety regulations
Design and implement workplace programs and procedures that control or prevent chemical, physical, or other risks to workers
Educate employers and workers about maintaining workplace safety
Demonstrate use of safety equipment and ensure proper use by workers
Investigate incidents to determine the cause and possible prevention
Prepare written reports of their findingsOccupational health and safety specialists examine worksites for environmental or physical factors that could harm employee health, safety, comfort, or performance. They then find ways to improve potential risk factors. For example, they may notice potentially hazardous conditions inside a chemical plant and suggest changes to lighting, equipment, materials, or ventilation.
Occupational health and safety technicians assist specialists by collecting data on work environments and implementing the worksite improvements that specialists plan. Technicians also may check to make sure that workers are using required protective gear, such as masks and hardhats.
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians may develop and conduct employee training programs. These programs cover a range of topics, such as how to use safety equipment correctly and how to respond in an emergency.
In the event of a workplace safety incident, specialists and technicians investigate its cause. They then analyze data from the incident, such as the number of people impacted, and look for trends in occurrence. This evaluation helps them to recommend improvements to prevent future incidents.
 Work Environment
			Occupational health and safety specialistsOccupational health and safety technicians often work with complex equipment to test and evaluate workplace environments and equipment.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Occupational health and safety specialists held about 113,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of occupational health and safety specialists were as follows:
        Government
                20%Manufacturing
                17Construction
                14Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                7Hospitals; state, local, and private
                3Occupational health and safety technicians held about 24,700 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of occupational health and safety technicians were as follows:
        Manufacturing
                24%Construction
                9Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                9Government
                9Hospitals; state, local, and private
                3Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work in a variety of indoor or outdoor settings, such as offices and factories or construction sites. Their jobs may involve considerable travel and fieldwork.
The work of these specialists may be strenuous and involve a lot of standing, squatting, and lifting. It also may be stressful, such as in cases of emergency, falling debris, or other hazardous situations. To minimize the risk of illness or injury, they use gloves, helmets, respirators, and other personal protective and safety equipment.
Work Schedules
Most occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may be on call to work weekends or irregular schedules in emergencies.
 How to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist or Technician

			Occupational health and safety specialistsOccupational health and safety technicians usually receive some training on the job.			
Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job. Some pursue professional certification.
Education
Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field, such as biology or healthcare and related majors. For some positions, a master’s degree is required. In addition to science, coursework should include topics such as ergonomics, safety management, and industrial hygiene.
Occupational health and safety technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation. High school students interested in this occupation should take classes in chemistry, biology, and physics. Some technicians earn an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college or university. These programs typically take 2 years or less and include courses in hazardous materials, fire prevention, and safety regulations.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Employers may prefer or require occupational health and safety specialists and technicians to have professional certification. This certification is available through several organizations, such as the Board for Global EHS Credentialing, Board of Certified Safety Professions, and National Association of Safety Professionals.
Obtaining certification typically requires graduating from an accredited educational program, completing work experience, and passing an examination. Maintaining certification usually requires completing a specified number of hours of continuing education.
Training
Occupational health and safety technicians usually receive some on-the-job training. They may learn about specific laws and regulations, how to perform inspections, and how to conduct tests. The length of training varies with the employee’s level of experience, education, and industry in which he or she works.
Occupational health and safety specialists sometimes receive on-the-job training. However, training is less common for specialists than it is for technicians.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Some employers prefer to hire occupational health and safety specialists who have prior experience in the industry. Specialists may gain this experience by working in a related occupation, such as health and safety engineer.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians deliver safety trainings and instruction to employees and managers. They also write reports that effectively convey their findings.
***Detail oriented.*** Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be meticulous when checking work environments. They need to ensure that sites follow safety standards and government regulations.
***Physical stamina.*** Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to stand for long periods and may have to squat or kneel. Some work in uncomfortable environments, such as tunnels or mines.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians determine proper design and implementation of workplace processes or procedures to help protect workers from hazardous conditions.
***Technology skills.*** Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians use a variety of digital tools and testing equipment, such as devices that measure air quality.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and TechniciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Occupational health and safety specialists$81,140  Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians$77,580  Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations$61,020  Occupational health and safety technicians$57,920  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for occupational health and safety specialists was $81,140 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,040.The median annual wage for occupational health and safety technicians was $57,920 in May 2023. 


The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,360.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for occupational health and safety specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Hospitals; state, local, and private
                $95,370Manufacturing
                82,160Government
                82,040Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                81,830Construction
                80,780In May 2023, the median annual wages for occupational health and safety technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Construction
                $74,710Manufacturing
                63,170Government
                56,980Hospitals; state, local, and private
                53,310Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                50,630Most occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Some may be on call and work weekends or irregular hours in emergencies.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                       Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and TechniciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians13%  Occupational health and safety specialists13%  Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations11%  Occupational health and safety technicians10%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is projected to grow				 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 17,200 openings for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians will be needed in a variety of industries and government agencies to ensure safe working conditions that comply with regulations.
In recent years, employers have emphasized worker health, safety, and wellness. This trend is expected to continue, which should contribute to increased demand for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians.
Among the factors contributing to this demand are the adoption of new technologies, such as robotics, that require updated safety practices and the need to protect workers from climate-related hazards, such as excessive heat.
			

                        Employment projections data for     occupational health and safety specialists and technicians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians**
			19-5000
			138,400
			156,100
			13
			17,700
			Get data**Occupational health and safety specialists**
			19-5011
			113,800
			128,900
			13
			15,200
			Get data**Occupational health and safety technicians**
			19-5012
			24,700
			27,200
			10
			2,500
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Occupational health and safety specialists
					Occupational health and safety technicians **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Construction and Building Inspectors**
            Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $67,700**Environmental Scientists and Specialists**
            Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $78,980**Fire Inspectors**
            Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire regulations, and investigate causes of fires.
            See How to Become One
            $71,420**Health and Safety Engineers**
            Health and safety engineers combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to develop procedures and design systems to protect people from illness and injury and property from damage.
            Bachelor's degree
            $103,690**Environmental Science and Protection Technicians**
            Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
            Associate's degree
            $50,660
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about credentialing in industrial hygiene, visit
Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
For more information about occupations in safety, a list of safety and related academic programs, and credentialing, visit
Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)
National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP)
For more information about occupational health and safety, visit
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
To find job openings for occupational health and safety positions in the federal government, visit
USAJOBS
CareerOneStop
For a career video on occupational health and safety specialists and technicians, visit
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsOccupational Health and Safety Technicians
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-health-and-safety-specialists-and-technicians.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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