How much does a occupational health and safety specialist make?
The median occupational health and safety specialist in the United States earns $90,150 per year, about $43.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all occupational health and safety specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-5011.
Occupational health and safety specialist salary range
Pay for occupational health and safety specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $55,000 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $134,950. The average (mean) wage of $93,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,000 | $26.44 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $69,560 | $33.44 | |
| Median (50th) | $90,150 | $43.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $111,690 | $53.70 | |
| 90th percentile | $134,950 | $64.88 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for occupational health and safety specialists (SOC 19-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Occupational health and safety specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Occupational health and safety specialists earn the most in District of Columbia at $111,530 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $73,130. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $103,970 | 3,390 |
| Washington | $102,920 | 3,570 |
| California | $102,840 | 16,230 |
| Rhode Island | $101,740 | 200 |
| Colorado | $101,400 | 3,080 |
| New Hampshire | $101,260 | 610 |
| Alaska | $99,270 | 370 |
| Illinois | $98,270 | 2,900 |
| Maine | $97,640 | 600 |
| Minnesota | $96,990 | 2,460 |
| Connecticut | $96,110 | 1,090 |
| New York | $95,720 | 6,840 |
| Oregon | $95,240 | 1,820 |
| Hawaii | $94,840 | 640 |
| Nevada | $94,360 | 1,150 |
| Wyoming | $94,030 | 580 |
| North Dakota | $93,250 | 540 |
| Maryland | $91,820 | 2,160 |
| Ohio | $91,460 | 6,820 |
| Virginia | $90,800 | 3,910 |
| New Jersey | $90,610 | 3,830 |
| Utah | $90,200 | 1,230 |
| Louisiana | $89,560 | 2,380 |
| Arizona | $89,480 | 3,220 |
| Florida | $88,820 | 6,760 |
| South Dakota | $88,610 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $88,080 | 2,170 |
| Iowa | $87,830 | 1,310 |
| Vermont | $87,210 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,050 | 4,890 |
| Idaho | $86,920 | 730 |
| North Carolina | $86,650 | 4,670 |
| West Virginia | $86,560 | 1,020 |
| Kansas | $86,300 | 1,350 |
| Georgia | $85,450 | 3,220 |
| Wisconsin | $84,750 | 2,250 |
| New Mexico | $84,510 | 840 |
| Mississippi | $84,490 | 1,140 |
| Michigan | $84,080 | 3,350 |
| Nebraska | $83,990 | 630 |
| Kentucky | $83,730 | 2,480 |
| Indiana | $83,470 | 3,870 |
| Missouri | $83,090 | 2,660 |
| Alabama | $82,260 | 2,510 |
| Montana | $81,330 | 720 |
| Tennessee | $81,190 | 2,690 |
| Delaware | $81,120 | 600 |
| Oklahoma | $79,890 | 1,690 |
| Texas | $79,660 | 17,920 |
| Arkansas | $73,130 | 850 |
State median wages for occupational health and safety specialists (SOC 19-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for occupational health and safety specialists
The BLS projects employment of occupational health and safety specialists to grow 18.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 143,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 169,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 17,100 openings a year for occupational health and safety specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an occupational health and safety specialist
The typical entry-level education for occupational health and safety specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an occupational health and safety specialist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $111,530) and the lowest (Arkansas, $73,130) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 140,610 people work as occupational health and safety specialists in the United States. At $90,150 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Occupational health and safety specialist salary FAQ
How much does an occupational health and safety specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an occupational health and safety specialist is $43.34. The middle half of occupational health and safety specialists earn between $33.44 and $53.70 per hour.
What is the highest occupational health and safety specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of occupational health and safety specialists earn more than $134,950 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an occupational health and safety specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for an occupational health and safety specialist is $90,150. The average (mean) wage of $93,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an occupational health and safety specialist a well paid job?
At $90,150 a year, an occupational health and safety specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 140,610 people work as occupational health and safety specialists in the United States.
Which state pays occupational health and safety specialists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for occupational health and safety specialists at $111,530 a year. Massachusetts ($103,970) and Washington ($102,920) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an occupational health and safety specialist a good career?
Employment of occupational health and safety specialists is projected to grow 18.5% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 17,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an occupational health and safety specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for occupational health and safety specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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