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
$90,150
$7,513/mo
Entry Level
$56,300
starting pay
Senior Level
$111,600
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (SOC 19-5011) at a national median of $90,150 per year (mean $93,860), or $43.34 per hour, with 140,610 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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)
141K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$43.34/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,513
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
$93,000
$7,750/month · $3,577/biweekly · $44.71/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 $56,300, while the top 10% earn $125,100 or more.
Top Paying States for Occupational Health & Safety Specialists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $106,000 | +$15,850 |
| New York | $104,000 | +$13,850 |
| Pennsylvania | $90,000 | $-150 |
| Texas | $88,000 | $-2,150 |
| Ohio | $86,000 | $-4,150 |
Top Paying Cities for Occupational Health & Safety Specialists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $106,000 | +$15,850 |
| Los Angeles | $101,000 | +$10,850 |
| Philadelphia | $92,000 | +$1,850 |
| Houston | $89,000 | $-1,150 |
| Columbus | $85,000 | $-5,150 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
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.
$56,300
0-2 years
$84,000
3-7 years
$111,600
8-14 years
$138,600
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 $90,150 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (SOC 19-5011); the mean is $93,860. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $56,300, senior professionals around $111,600, and top earners at $138,600 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 141K 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 $88,000. 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 $56,300 to $111,600 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Salary
How we calculate Occupational Health & Safety Specialist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (SOC 19-5011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $90,150, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists; BLS mean $93,860; BLS hourly median $43.34.
- Entry-level ($56,300) and senior-level ($111,600) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 140,610 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $90,150; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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