Occupation salary profile

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

SOC 19-5012 BLS OEWS May 2025

Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers.

National median · BLS
$61,560
▲ +5.34% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$68,120
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
30,590
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$46,280
25th$52,470
Median (50th)$61,560
75th$78,850
90th — top pay$100,160

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

BLS projects employment of occupational health and safety technicians to grow 19.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
31,200 → 37,200
+6,100 jobs
Projected change
+19.4%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
3,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Active Listening4.0
  • Critical Thinking3.9
  • Reading Comprehension3.9
  • Speaking3.9
  • Writing3.8
  • Complex Problem Solving3.3
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.3
  • Monitoring3.3
  • Active Learning3.1
  • Negotiation3.1
Top knowledge areas
  • Education and Training4.1
  • English Language4.1
  • Public Safety and Security3.8
  • Law and Government3.7
  • Engineering and Technology3.7
  • Mathematics3.7
  • Administration and Management3.6
  • Customer and Personal Service3.4
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft SharePointSAP softwareBrady Lockout ProDatabase softwareEmail softwareGraphics softwareIndustrial Scientific iNETQuestSuite ProfessionalRemedy Interactive iMitigateStatistical analysis softwareTapRooTTeleconferencing software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What occupational health and safety technicians do

  • Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danger or potential harm exists.
  • Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
  • Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices or maintenance of proper ventilation during wind turbine construction.
  • Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
  • Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
  • Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.
  • Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order.
  • Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.
Also called
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)Construction Safety ConsultantIndustrial HygienistSafety SpecialistAdvisory Industrial HygienistEHS Advisor (Environmental, Health, and Safety Advisor)Health and Safety Technician (Health and Safety Tech)Industrial Hygiene ConsultantSafety Technician (Safety Tech)Safety Trainer
More job titles for this occupation (25)
Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)Consumer Safety Technician (Consumer Safety Tech)EHS Coordinator (Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator)Environmental Health and Safety Technician (Environmental Health and Safety Tech)Environmental Health TechnologistErgonomics Technician (Ergonomics Tech)Field Safety CoordinatorFood Safety CoordinatorHealth and Safety CoordinatorLife Safety Technician (Life Safety Tech)Occupational Health and Safety Technician (Occupational Health and Safety Tech)Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)Patient Safety CoordinatorRadiation MonitorSafety and Environmental CoordinatorSafety and Quality CoordinatorSafety and Training CoordinatorSafety Compliance CoordinatorSafety CoordinatorSafety Equipment Testing SpecialistSafety InstructorSafety OfficerSite Safety and Health OfficerSite Safety CoordinatorWorkplace Coordinator

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.