Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians collect data on workplace environments and help put safety programs into action. They measure chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic hazards to protect workers from injury and illness. They work in offices, factories, construction sites, hospitals, and other facilities across industries.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against occupational health and safety technicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves inspecting work areas, taking measurements of noise or chemical levels, interviewing workers about safety concerns, and documenting findings. Technicians may calibrate monitoring equipment, photograph hazardous conditions, review incident reports, and assist specialists in designing safer work procedures. Much of the work splits between fieldwork in various locations and office time analyzing data and preparing reports.
Who this work suits
Holland code CRI. Conventional work is organized, detail-oriented work with clear procedures. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to do well in this work if you like solving concrete problems and following established procedures. You're practical and detail-oriented, comfortable working with technical equipment and systems, and interested in how things function in real workplace settings.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $70,400 | $104,910 | $110,930 | 570 |
| Rhode Island | $65,840 | $84,640 | $106,290 | 60 |
| West Virginia | $65,790 | $81,470 | $90,690 | 320 |
| Alaska | $56,150 | $80,760 | $108,060 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $60,550 | $79,490 | $120,610 | 790 |
| Minnesota | $60,330 | $74,400 | $83,840 | 270 |
| Colorado | $59,580 | $73,110 | $84,300 | 400 |
| New York | $57,610 | $69,640 | $78,680 | 1,410 |
| Massachusetts | $55,160 | $68,730 | $89,920 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $61,290 | $68,310 | $97,510 | 130 |
| Wyoming | $52,940 | $68,250 | $74,140 | 80 |
| Michigan | $57,400 | $67,310 | $88,020 | 450 |
All 48 states
Certifications people in this field hold
- Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST) — Board of Certified Safety Professionals
- Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) (CHST) — Board of Certified Safety Professionals
- Health & Safety Officer Certification (HSO) — Fire Department Safety Officers Association
- Certified Safety and Health Official (Construction or General Industry) (CSHO) — Alliance Safety Council
- Fire Prevention & Life Safety & Health Specialist — Keene State College OSHA Education Center
- Industrial Safety and Health Specialist — Mid Atlantic OSHA Training Institute Education Center
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
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against occupational health and safety technicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 19-5012.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.