Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$83,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $90,150
State Rank
#42 of 51
2,480 employed here

How much do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists make in Kentucky?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $83,730 per year, or about $40.25 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $90,150 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $49,040 while the top 10% make $129,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,150 and $106,420 a year.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,040$23.58
25th percentile (early career)$68,150$32.76
50th percentile (median)$83,730$40.25
75th percentile (experienced)$106,420$51.16
90th percentile (top earners)$129,120$62.08

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$111,530
2Massachusetts$103,970
3Washington$102,920
4California$102,840
5Rhode Island$101,740

Working as Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Kentucky

Nationally, about 141,000 people work as Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($83,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists make in Kentucky?
The median Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in Kentucky is $83,730 per year, or about $40.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,040 at the entry level to $129,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Occupational Health and Safety Specialists about 7% less than the national median of $90,150. Kentucky ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $83,730 a year. About 2,480 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary report

Related salaries

Materials Scientist

$117,790
median pay · 8,000 employed

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

$61,560
median pay · 31,000 employed

Food Scientists and Technologists

$88,720
median pay · 13,000 employed

Microbiologist

$87,990
median pay · 19,000 employed

Physical Scientist, All Other

$122,570
median pay · 22,000 employed

Biological Scientist, All Other

$98,920
median pay · 56,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.