Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist or Technician Occupational health and safety technicians usually receive some
Education
Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field, such as biology or healthcare and related majors. For some positions, a master’s degree is required. In addition to science, coursework should include topics such as ergonomics, safety management, and industrial hygiene. Occupational health and safety technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation. High school students interested in this occupation should take classes in chemistry, biology, and physics. Some technicians earn an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college or university. These programs typically take 2 years or less and include courses in hazardous materials, fire prevention, and safety regulations.
Training
on the job. Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job. Some pursue professional certification.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Employers may prefer or require occupational health and safety specialists and technicians to have professional certification. Obtaining certification typically requires graduating from an accredited educational program, completing work experience, and passing an examination. Maintaining certification usually requires completing a specified number of hours of continuing education. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Training Occupational health and safety technicians usually receive some on-the-job training. They may learn about specific laws and regulations, how to perform inspections, and how to conduct tests. The length of training varies with the employee’s level of experience, education, and industry in which he or she works. Occupational health and safety specialists sometimes receive on-the-job training. However, training is less common for specialists than it is for technicians. Work Experience in a Related Occupation Some employers prefer to hire occupational health and safety specialists who have prior experience in the industry. Specialists may gain this experience by working in a related occupation, such as health and safety engineer.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is projected to grow 19 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 20,900 openings for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians will be needed in a variety of industries and government agencies to ensure safe working conditions that comply with regulations. In recent years, employers have emphasized worker health, safety, and wellness. This trend is expected to continue, which should contribute to increased demand for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians. Among the factors contributing to this demand are the adoption of new technologies, such as robotics, that require updated safety practices and the need to protect workers from natural hazards, such as excessive heat. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Occupational health and safety technicians 19% Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians 19% Occupational health and safety specialists 18% Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations 10% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians Do
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to many types of work environments and procedures. Specialists inspect workplaces and enforce adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment. Technicians work with specialists to implement and evaluate programs aimed at mitigating risks to workers, property, the environment, and the public.
Duties
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians typically do the following:
- Inspect, test, and evaluate workplace environments, programs, equipment, and practices to ensure that they follow government safety regulations
- Design and implement workplace programs and procedures that control or prevent chemical, physical, or other risks to workers
- Educate employers and workers about maintaining workplace safety
- Demonstrate use of safety equipment and ensure proper use by workers
- Investigate incidents to determine the cause and possible prevention
- Prepare written reports of their findings
Occupational health and safety specialists examine worksites for environmental or physical factors that could harm employee health, safety, comfort, or performance. They then find ways to improve potential risk factors. For example, they may notice potentially hazardous conditions inside a chemical plant and suggest changes to lighting, equipment, materials, or ventilation.
Occupational health and safety technicians assist specialists by collecting data on work environments and implementing the worksite improvements that specialists plan. Technicians also may check to make sure that workers are using required protective gear, such as masks and hardhats.
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians may develop and conduct employee training programs. These programs cover a range of topics, such as how to use safety equipment correctly and how to respond in an emergency.
In the event of a workplace safety incident, specialists and technicians investigate its cause. They then analyze data from the incident, such as the number of people impacted, and look for trends in occurrence. This evaluation helps them to recommend improvements to prevent future incidents.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Occupational health and safety specialists held about 143,100 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of occupational health and safety specialists were as follows:
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 18% |
| Manufacturing | 17 |
| Construction | 17 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 8 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 6 |
Occupational health and safety technicians held about 31,200 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of occupational health and safety technicians were as follows:
| Transportation and warehousing | 28% |
| Manufacturing | 17 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 12 |
| Construction | 9 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 7 |
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work in a variety of indoor or outdoor settings, such as offices and factories or construction sites. Their jobs may involve considerable travel and fieldwork.
The work of these specialists may be strenuous and involve a lot of standing, squatting, and lifting. It also may be stressful, such as in cases of emergency, falling debris, or other hazardous situations. To minimize the risk of illness or injury, they use gloves, helmets, respirators, and other personal protective and safety equipment.
Work Schedules
Most occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may be on call to work weekends or irregular schedules in emergencies.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians deliver safety trainings and instruction to employees and managers. They also write reports that effectively convey their findings. Detail oriented. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be meticulous when checking work environments. They need to ensure that sites follow safety standards and government regulations. Physical stamina. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to stand for long periods and may have to squat or kneel. Some work in uncomfortable environments, such as tunnels or mines. Problem-solving skills. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians determine proper design and implementation of workplace processes or procedures to help protect workers from hazardous conditions. Technology skills. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians use a variety of digital tools and testing equipment, such as devices that measure air quality.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about occupational health and safety specialists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.