Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Occupational health and safety specialists review work environments to identify and eliminate hazards that could cause injury or illness. They design control procedures, conduct inspections, and ensure organizations comply with health and safety regulations. These specialists work in offices, manufacturing facilities, construction sites, healthcare settings, and other industrial environments across various industries.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against occupational health and safety specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves inspecting work areas for hazardous conditions, reviewing safety protocols and procedures, analyzing incident reports, and recommending corrective actions. Specialists might test equipment, evaluate chemical exposure levels, interview employees about workplace concerns, or develop new safety training programs. They document findings, communicate with management about compliance issues, and track progress on safety improvements.
Who this work suits
Holland code ICR. Investigative work is figuring things out: analysis, research, problem-solving. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You're suited for this work if you enjoy investigating problems systematically and prefer working with established procedures and standards. A detail-oriented approach, combined with the ability to analyze data and think critically about preventing harm, will serve you well in this role.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Safety and Occupational Health Specialist · Defense Contract Management Agency · Multiple Locations · $91205–$137128
- Safety and Occupational Health Manager · National Park Service · Location Negotiable After Selection · $106437–$138370
- Advanced Practice Nurse ( Employee Occupational Health) · Veterans Health Administration · Buffalo, New York · $110459–$160135
- Physician-Occupational Health Service Chief · Veterans Health Administration · San Juan, Puerto Rico · $165000–$350000
- SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANAGER · Air National Guard Units · Portland, Oregon · $96443–$125378
- Safety and Occupational Health Specialist · Bureau of Reclamation · Albuquerque, New Mexico · $51007–$66311
- Senior Safety and Occupational Health Specialist · Federal Aviation Administration · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · $111779–$173292
- SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALIST TITLE 32 INDEFINITE · Army National Guard Units · Concord, New Hampshire · $101375–$131790
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,190 | $111,530 | $132,620 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $83,260 | $103,970 | $127,320 | 3,390 |
| Washington | $86,110 | $102,920 | $127,050 | 3,570 |
| California | $77,080 | $102,840 | $129,490 | 16,230 |
| Rhode Island | $82,800 | $101,740 | $120,430 | 200 |
| Colorado | $81,110 | $101,400 | $127,210 | 3,080 |
| New Hampshire | $74,990 | $101,260 | $127,250 | 610 |
| Alaska | $81,470 | $99,270 | $125,590 | 370 |
| Illinois | $79,190 | $98,270 | $117,010 | 2,900 |
| Maine | $74,150 | $97,640 | $107,590 | 600 |
| Minnesota | $79,220 | $96,990 | $112,730 | 2,460 |
| Connecticut | $79,350 | $96,110 | $117,930 | 1,090 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Fire Prevention & Life Safety & Health Specialist — Keene State College OSHA Education Center
- Industrial Safety and Health Specialist — Mid Atlantic OSHA Training Institute Education Center
- Construction Safety and Health Specialist — Mid Atlantic OSHA Training Institute Education Center
- Healthcare Safety and Health Specialist — Mid Atlantic OSHA Training Institute Education Center
- Specialist in Safety and Health (SSH) — Construction Education Foundation
- Certified Safety and Health Specialist — Eastern Kentucky University
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 22 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against occupational health and safety specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 19-5011.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.