How much do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists make?
The median pay for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in the United States is $90,150 per year — about $43.34 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $55,000, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $134,950.
That is $28,760 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary range by percentile
Half of all Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn between $69,560 and $111,690 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,000 | $26.44 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $69,560 | $33.44 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $90,150 | $43.34 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $111,690 | $53.70 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,950 | $64.88 |
Highest-paying states for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay at $111,530 a year, followed by Massachusetts ($103,970) and Washington ($102,920). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $73,130 — a gap of $38,400 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $111,530 | $53.62 | +24% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $103,970 | $49.99 | +15% |
| 3 | Washington | $102,920 | $49.48 | +14% |
| 4 | California | $102,840 | $49.44 | +14% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $101,740 | $48.91 | +13% |
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 141,000 people work as Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $93,860 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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