Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Your Fit

Income

$84K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

13.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists are professionals dedicated to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. They identify hazards, enforce safety regulations, and implement programs to protect the well-being of workers and the environment.

Sample job titles:

Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Industrial Hygienist, Safety Consultant, Safety Specialist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Occupational Health and Safety Specialist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$51K per year	$64K per year	$84K per year	$105K per year	$130K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $34K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist do?

Work environment

These specialists typically work in a variety of settings, including offices, factories, and construction sites. Their role may involve fieldwork to inspect workplaces for compliance with safety regulations and to investigate accidents. They may also spend time in an office setting, analyzing data and developing safety policies.

Quick task list

Inspects workplaces to ensure compliance with safety and health regulations.
Identifies potential hazards and recommends corrective actions.
Develops and implements workplace safety and health programs.
Conducts training sessions on various safety and health topics.
Investigates accidents and incidents to determine causes and prevent future occurrences.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Industrial Safety: Focuses on reducing risks in industrial settings like factories.
Construction Safety: Specializes in safety practices on construction sites.
Environmental Health: Concentrates on preventing environmental hazards.
Ergonomics: Addresses the design of workspaces to reduce strain and injury.
Emergency Response: Specializes in preparing and responding to workplace emergencies.

Description

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists play a critical role in preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. They are responsible for analyzing various work environments and designing programs to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors.

A significant part of their job involves educating employers and employees on workplace safety practices and regulations. They must stay current with new laws and regulations regarding workplace safety and health. Effective communication skills are essential, as they often lead training sessions and need to explain complex regulations to a non-technical audience.

These specialists also collaborate with engineers, physicians, and other professionals to institute control and remedial measures for hazardous and potentially hazardous conditions or equipment. They often play a critical role during emergencies, providing expertise in crisis situations to minimize risk and harm.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a tangible difference in worker safety and health.
Solving complex problems related to workplace hazards.
Variety in work environments and tasks.

You might make a good Occupational Health and Safety Specialist if you are...

Detail-oriented, able to identify and address potential hazards.
A good communicator, capable of educating and advising employees and management.
Analytical, with the ability to assess risks and devise effective safety measures.
Interested in health, safety, and environmental protection.
Able to adapt to various work environments and situations.

Pros:

Diverse work settings and tasks.
High job satisfaction from improving workplace safety.
Growing demand in many industries.

Cons:

Potential exposure to hazardous conditions.
High responsibility and pressure in ensuring safety compliance.
Need to stay updated with constantly changing regulations.

How to become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Typical education

Most Occupational Health and Safety Specialists require a bachelor's degree in occupational health, safety management, or a related field, which typically involves four years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Science courses, especially biology and chemistry, to understand hazards.
Health education to learn about wellness and safety.
Mathematics for data analysis and problem-solving skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining health and safety clubs or groups.
Volunteering in community health and safety initiatives.
Participating in science fairs or projects related to health and safety.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in occupational health, safety management, or a related field.
Seek internships or part-time jobs in safety management for practical experience.
Consider obtaining certifications like Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST).

More resources

Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) - Offers certification information for safety professionals.
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) - Provides educational resources and networking opportunities.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Offers training and guidelines on workplace safety.
National Safety Council (NSC) - Provides resources and training on various safety topics.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.