Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Salary in 2026
Occupational health and safety specialists analyze work environments to identify hazards and ensure regulatory compliance. They develop safety programs, conduct inspections, and investigate accidents.
Median Salary
$80,000
$6,667/mo
Entry Level
$50,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$99,000
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Overview
Occupational health and safety specialists analyze work environments to identify hazards and ensure regulatory compliance. They develop safety programs, conduct inspections, and investigate accidents.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
125K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$38.46/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,667
Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Occupational Health & Safety Specialist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Salary
$82,000
$6,833/month · $3,154/biweekly · $39.42/hr
Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Occupational Health & Safety Specialist field.
Entry-level Occupational Health & Safety Specialists earn around $50,000, while the top 10% earn $111,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Occupational Health & Safety Specialists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $94,000 | +$14,000 |
| New York | $92,000 | +$12,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,000 | $0 |
| Texas | $78,000 | $-2,000 |
| Ohio | $76,000 | $-4,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Occupational Health & Safety Specialists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $94,000 | +$14,000 |
| Los Angeles | $90,000 | +$10,000 |
| Philadelphia | $82,000 | +$2,000 |
| Houston | $79,000 | $-1,000 |
| Columbus | $75,000 | $-5,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Occupational Health & Safety Specialist from entry level to expert.
$50,000
0-2 years
$75,000
3-7 years
$99,000
8-14 years
$123,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Salary FAQ
How much does a Occupational Health & Safety Specialist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Occupational Health & Safety Specialist in the United States is $80,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $50,000, while senior professionals earn up to $99,000. Top earners in the field can make $123,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Occupational Health & Safety Specialist?
A Occupational Health & Safety Specialist typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include OSHA Regulations, Risk Assessment, Incident Investigation. Relevant certifications such as CSP or CIH can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Occupational Health & Safety Specialists?
The job market for Occupational Health & Safety Specialists is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 125K Occupational Health & Safety Specialist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 13%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Occupational Health & Safety Specialists the most?
The highest-paying states for Occupational Health & Safety Specialists include Texas, California, New York. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $78,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Occupational Health & Safety Specialist salary?
To increase your Occupational Health & Safety Specialist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like OSHA Regulations and Risk Assessment. Pursue certifications such as CSP. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Houston. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $50,000 to $99,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources — Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Salary
How we calculate Occupational Health & Safety Specialist salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $80,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Occupational Health & Safety Specialist in the Government sector.
- Entry-level ($50,000) and senior-level ($99,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 125K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Government sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $80,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Occupational Health & Safety Specialist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Occupational Health & Safety Specialist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Occupational Health & Safety Specialist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (OSHA Regulations, Risk Assessment, Incident Investigation), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.