Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

Also called: Chemical Hygiene Officer, EHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer), Health and Safety Analyst, Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Industrial Hygienist, Industrial Hygienist Consultant, OHS Consultant (Occupational Health and Safety Consultant), Risk Control Consultant, Safety Consultant, Safety Specialist, Analysis Safety Inspector, Cause Analyst, Certified Indoor Environmentalist, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Construction Safety Manager, Consumer Safety Inspector, Dining Service Inspector, EHS Specialist (Environmental Health and Safety Specialist), Environmental Health Inspector, Environmental Health Sanitarian, Environmental Health Technologist, Environmental Protection Inspector, Environmental Protection Officer, Field Health Officer, Food and Drug Inspector, Food Inspector, Hazardous Waste Management Specialist, Health and Safety Inspector, Health Care Facilities Inspector, Health Inspector, Health Sanitarian, Health Specialist, Industrial Safety and Health Specialist, Industrial Waste Inspector, Mine Safety and Health Inspector, Mortician Investigator, Occupational Safety and Health Inspector, OHS Specialist (Occupational Health and Safety Specialist), OSHA Inspector (Occupational Safety and Health Administration Inspector), Public Health Inspector, Public Health Service Officer, Quarantine Inspector, Rabies Inspector, Radiation Protection Specialist, Radiological Health Specialist, Regional Safety Manager, Research Safety Inspector, Restaurant Inspector, Risk Analyst, Safety Administrator, Safety Advisor, Safety and Compliance Manager, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Safety Inspector, Safety Instructor, Safety Investigator, Safety Officer, Safety Person, Safety Project Manager (Safety PM), Safety Trainer, Sanitarian, Sanitarian Inspector, Sanitary Inspector, Sanitation Inspector, Sanitation Officer, Sanitation Specialist, Site Safety and Health Officer, Site Safety Manager, Tick Inspector, Venereal Disease Investigator, Water Inspector, Work Environment Safety Inspector

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Systems Analysis
Systems Evaluation
Monitoring
Active Learning

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (73.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

69,560–111,690 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 19-5011.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (73.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists