What Occupational Health and Safety Specialists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Occupational Health and Safety Specialists this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety"; "Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials"; "Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future"; "Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance"; "Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 143,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 169,600 in 2035, an increase of 26,500 jobs (+18.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 17,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 11.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $90,150, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn the most
Across the 4 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $79,823 in Texas to $105,299 in California, a gap of $25,476 (1.32 times). 3 of those 4 states average above the BLS national median of $90,150 and 1 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 17,080, which is 33.5% of the 51,000 counted across them. California follows with 15,740.
Highest-paying states
California ($105,299), New York ($94,441) and New Jersey ($94,276) lead the ranking, while Texas ($79,823) and New Jersey ($94,276) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 4 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Harris County, TX (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX) at $44,679. The smallest margin is $30,696 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 4 of the 4 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 22.6% and 45.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Frequently asked questions about Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
How much do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $90,150. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $79,823 to $105,299.
Which state pays Occupational Health and Safety Specialists the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $105,299. New York is next at $94,441.
Is Occupational Health and Safety Specialists a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 18.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 17,100 openings a year.
What education do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Occupational Health and Safety Specialists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Harris County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $44,679 on a median wage of $82,910.