Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Make?
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn a median annual salary of $83,910 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $50,610 at the 10th percentile to $130,460 at the 90th percentile — a range of $79,850. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $115,710.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,610 |
| 25th percentile | $64,410 |
| Median (50th) | $83,910 |
| 75th percentile | $105,390 |
| 90th percentile | $130,460 |
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $115,710 |
| California | $99,530 |
| Washington | $98,300 |
| Rhode Island | $98,240 |
| Illinois | $96,570 |
| Colorado | $96,310 |
| Massachusetts | $96,250 |
| Minnesota | $93,640 |
| Wyoming | $93,010 |
| New Hampshire | $92,220 |
| Alaska | $91,670 |
| New Jersey | $91,360 |
| Connecticut | $90,790 |
| Hawaii | $89,620 |
| New York | $87,580 |
| Georgia | $87,280 |
| Utah | $87,000 |
| West Virginia | $86,940 |
| Delaware | $85,820 |
| Vermont | $85,620 |
| Nevada | $85,530 |
| Maine | $85,350 |
| North Dakota | $84,020 |
| Ohio | $82,700 |
| Oregon | $82,660 |
| South Carolina | $82,220 |
| North Carolina | $82,160 |
| Oklahoma | $82,030 |
| Maryland | $81,980 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,840 |
| Virginia | $81,690 |
| Missouri | $80,500 |
| Louisiana | $80,440 |
| Arizona | $80,180 |
| New Mexico | $79,820 |
| Mississippi | $79,790 |
| Iowa | $79,560 |
| Wisconsin | $79,560 |
| South Dakota | $79,460 |
| Nebraska | $79,170 |
| Idaho | $78,890 |
| Indiana | $78,760 |
| Kansas | $78,480 |
| Michigan | $78,280 |
| Florida | $77,250 |
| Tennessee | $76,770 |
| Kentucky | $76,400 |
| Texas | $76,280 |
| Alabama | $75,440 |
| Montana | $74,500 |
| Arkansas | $71,570 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$50,610 – $64,410 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$83,910 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$105,390 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $130,460+ |
How to Earn More as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $132,230 — $48,320 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($105,390) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialistthis career | $83,910 |
| Security Manager | $104,690 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspector | $78,420 |
| Government Property Inspectors and Investigator | $78,420 |
| Security Management Specialist | $81,270 |
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SOC: 19-5011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.