How much does a occupational health and safety technician make?
The median occupational health and safety technician in the United States earns $61,560 per year, about $29.59 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all occupational health and safety technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-5012.
Occupational health and safety technician salary range
Pay for occupational health and safety technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,280 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,160. The average (mean) wage of $68,120 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 | $46,280 | $22.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,470 | $25.22 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,560 | $29.59 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,850 | $37.91 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,160 | $48.15 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for occupational health and safety technicians (SOC 19-5012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Occupational health and safety technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Occupational health and safety technicians earn the most in Washington at $104,910 a year, and the least in Montana at $41,420. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $104,910 | 570 |
| Rhode Island | $84,640 | 60 |
| West Virginia | $81,470 | 320 |
| Alaska | $80,760 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $79,490 | 790 |
| Minnesota | $74,400 | 270 |
| Colorado | $73,110 | 400 |
| New York | $69,640 | 1,410 |
| Massachusetts | $68,730 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $68,310 | 130 |
| Wyoming | $68,250 | 80 |
| Michigan | $67,310 | 450 |
| New Jersey | $66,930 | 270 |
| Illinois | $65,960 | 1,790 |
| Arizona | $65,480 | 440 |
| Ohio | $65,000 | 1,310 |
| Oregon | $65,000 | 230 |
| Maryland | $64,670 | 280 |
| Missouri | $64,490 | 270 |
| Wisconsin | $64,440 | 640 |
| Maine | $64,240 | 140 |
| Georgia | $63,290 | 1,210 |
| New Hampshire | $62,630 | 50 |
| Virginia | $62,380 | 840 |
| Delaware | $62,310 | 150 |
| Vermont | $61,960 | 80 |
| Nevada | $61,770 | 440 |
| North Carolina | $61,760 | 720 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,640 | 1,020 |
| California | $61,360 | 2,650 |
| Mississippi | $61,230 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $61,120 | 650 |
| Idaho | $60,670 | 240 |
| Indiana | $60,150 | 1,660 |
| Kansas | $59,740 | 480 |
| Nebraska | $59,180 | 200 |
| Florida | $59,140 | 1,000 |
| South Carolina | $58,490 | 420 |
| Iowa | $58,300 | 290 |
| Texas | $57,980 | 4,420 |
| Louisiana | $57,930 | 780 |
| Utah | $57,340 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $56,470 | 370 |
| North Dakota | $56,000 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $55,090 | 310 |
| Alabama | $55,010 | 880 |
| Arkansas | $50,840 | 510 |
| Montana | $41,420 | 60 |
State median wages for occupational health and safety technicians (SOC 19-5012), 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 technicians
The BLS projects employment of occupational health and safety technicians to grow 19.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 37,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,800 openings a year for occupational health and safety technicians. 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 technician
The typical entry-level education for occupational health and safety technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an occupational health and safety technician 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 (Washington, $104,910) and the lowest (Montana, $41,420) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 30,590 people work as occupational health and safety technicians in the United States. At $61,560 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Occupational health and safety technician salary FAQ
How much does an occupational health and safety technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an occupational health and safety technician is $29.59. The middle half of occupational health and safety technicians earn between $25.22 and $37.91 per hour.
What is the highest occupational health and safety technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of occupational health and safety technicians earn more than $100,160 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 technician make a year?
The median annual salary for an occupational health and safety technician is $61,560. The average (mean) wage of $68,120 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 technician a well paid job?
At $61,560 a year, an occupational health and safety technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 30,590 people work as occupational health and safety technicians in the United States.
Which state pays occupational health and safety technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for occupational health and safety technicians at $104,910 a year. Rhode Island ($84,640) and West Virginia ($81,470) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an occupational health and safety technician a good career?
Employment of occupational health and safety technicians is projected to grow 19.4% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an occupational health and safety technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for occupational health and safety technicians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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