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.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
SOC: 19-5011 O*NET: 19-5011.00
Median Salary
$83,910
per year
Job Growth
🚀 12.5%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
14.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Occupational Health and Safety Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$50,610
10th percentile
Early Career
$64,410
25th percentile
Median
$83,910
50th percentile
Experienced
$105,390
75th percentile
Top Earners
$130,460
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$50,610
25th
$64,410
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$83,910
Mean: $88,660
75th
$105,390
90th
$130,460
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $79,850 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $64,410 and $105,390
- •Salary spread is 48.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 128,430 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:131,900
Top Industries
Manufacturing17.6%
Construction15.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services11.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+12.5%
Annual Openings:14,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)131,900
Current
2034 (Projected)148,400
+12.5%
+16,500
Employment Change
+12.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Occupational Health and Safety Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
17,180 jobs$76,2801.49x
California
14,600 jobs$99,5300.97x
Ohio
5,960 jobs$82,7001.29x
Florida
5,920 jobs$77,2500.72x
New York
5,520 jobs$87,5800.69x
Pennsylvania
4,740 jobs$81,8400.95x
North Carolina
4,070 jobs$82,1601.00x
Washington
3,820 jobs$98,3001.29x
Virginia
3,820 jobs$81,6901.13x
Massachusetts
3,380 jobs$96,2501.11x
Indiana
3,250 jobs$78,7601.22x
Colorado
3,100 jobs$96,3101.29x
Michigan
3,070 jobs$78,2800.84x
Arizona
3,020 jobs$80,1801.14x
Georgia
2,970 jobs$87,2800.73x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Systems Evaluation
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Systems Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Systems Evaluation
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Systems Evaluation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Urban and Regional Planners100%
5 shared skills
Actuaries82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers82%
5 shared skills
Web Administrators82%
5 shared skills
Chief Sustainability Officers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Systems Evaluation
- →Critical Thinking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Communication & Coordination (2)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation85% perform90%
7
Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination82% perform88%
8
Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Provide new-employee health and safety orientations and develop materials for these presentations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists professionals typically have a ICR Holland code and highly value support
IInvestigative
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.65
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.39
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.30
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.22
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.22
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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