Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

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.

Also called: Advisory Industrial Hygienist, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Construction Safety Consultant, EHS Advisor (Environmental, Health, and Safety Advisor), Health and Safety Technician (Health and Safety Tech), Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Industrial Hygienist, Safety Specialist, Safety Technician (Safety Tech), Safety Trainer, 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 Technologist, Ergonomics Technician (Ergonomics Tech), Field Safety Coordinator, Food Safety Coordinator, Health and Safety Coordinator, Life Safety Technician (Life Safety Tech), Occupational Health and Safety Technician (Occupational Health and Safety Tech), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), Patient Safety Coordinator, Radiation Monitor, Safety and Environmental Coordinator, Safety and Quality Coordinator, Safety and Training Coordinator, Safety Compliance Coordinator, Safety Coordinator, Safety Equipment Testing Specialist, Safety Instructor, Safety Officer, Site Safety and Health Officer, Site Safety Coordinator, Workplace Coordinator

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

What the worker does

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.
Recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.
Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.

Skills, machines and equipment

Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Writing
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Learning
Social Perceptiveness
Persuasion
Negotiation

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (47.62% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. 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

52,470–78,850 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 19-5012.

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 (47.62% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. 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 Technicians