Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Also called Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Construction Safety Consultant, Industrial Hygienist, or Safety Specialist
Updated · Source: O*NET 31.0
What Occupational Health and Safety Technicians do
You measure the noise, dust, and fumes at a worksite, then help the people there go home unharmed.
Occupational health and safety technicians check whether workplaces are safe. You test the air, noise levels, and other hazards, then record what you find so specialists can analyze it. You hand out and maintain protective gear like respirators (masks that filter harmful air) and hearing protection, inspect fire suppression systems (the sprinklers and extinguishers that put out fires), and suggest fixes when something is off.
A lot of the job is talking and writing. You train workers on things like fall protection harnesses, you answer questions when someone refuses a task because they believe it is dangerous, and you keep careful records that rules require. Job titles vary: safety specialist, industrial hygienist (someone who studies health hazards such as chemicals, dust, and noise at work), or construction safety consultant. Expect to wear safety gear such as a hard hat and boots.
A day in the life
You start with email and a look at yesterday's readings. Then you put on safety gear and walk a site, taking measurements for noise, dust, or chemical exposure. A crew member stops you with a question about a respirator, so you check the fit and the filters. You spend an hour alone logging results and writing up what you saw, because the records have to be accurate and complete. Late morning you run a short training on using a fall protection harness. After lunch you inspect fire extinguishers and note two that need service. You meet with a supervisor and a specialist on your team to talk through a recommended fix. You end the day writing the report that goes with it.
This could fit you if you…
- ✓Like work that mixes walking a site with writing things up
- ✓Notice details others walk past
- ✓Can explain a rule to someone who does not want to hear it
- ✓Enjoy using instruments and figuring out what the numbers mean
- ✓Want steady contact with people in a team, not a desk alone
You might not like it if you…
- –Dislike paperwork, since records and documentation are a big part of the job
- –Would rather avoid conflict, because people sometimes push back on safety rules
- –Do not want to wear safety gear such as a hard hat, boots, or a respirator
- –Prefer doing the building or repairing yourself rather than checking on it
How people get in
- 1Finish high school or an equivalent; that is the typical entry education for this work.
- 2Take science, writing, and speaking classes seriously, since testing, reading regulations, and explaining findings are daily tasks.
- 3Look for entry-level roles in construction, manufacturing, or building maintenance (often called facilities work), where you can learn under experienced safety staff, usually over several months to about a year on the job, which is typical here.
- 4Consider a college program such as Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, or Radiation Protection / Health Physics Technician if you want more background or a path toward specialist roles.
- 5Get comfortable with the equipment and the rules: protective gear, air and noise monitoring tools, and the government standards your employer follows.
- 6Keep a record of the trainings you have run and the inspections you have done; employers often want to see that you can document your work.
Who tends to enjoy it
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
Official task list
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. (O*NET)
- 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.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
What you'll need to know
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Engineering and Technology
How much Occupational Health and Safety Technicians make
The median pay for Occupational Health and Safety Technicians in the U.S. is $61,560 a year ($29.59 an hour). Most earn between $46,280 and $100,160. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025)
Pay depends a lot on where you live: the median is highest in Washington ($104,910) and lowest in Puerto Rico ($35,890).
Pay by state and territory
| State | Median pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $55,010 | 880 |
| Alaska | $80,760 | 140 |
| Arizona | $65,480 | 440 |
| Arkansas | $50,840 | 510 |
| California | $61,360 | 2,650 |
| Colorado | $73,110 | 400 |
| Connecticut | $68,310 | 130 |
| Delaware | $62,310 | 150 |
| Florida | $59,140 | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $63,290 | 1,210 |
| Guam | $39,710 | 140 |
| Idaho | $60,670 | 240 |
| Illinois | $65,960 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $60,150 | 1,660 |
| Iowa | $58,300 | 290 |
| Kansas | $59,740 | 480 |
| Kentucky | $61,120 | 650 |
| Louisiana | $57,930 | 780 |
| Maine | $64,240 | 140 |
| Maryland | $64,670 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $68,730 | 290 |
| Michigan | $67,310 | 450 |
| Minnesota | $74,400 | 270 |
| Mississippi | $61,230 | 360 |
| Missouri | $64,490 | 270 |
| Montana | $41,420 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $59,180 | 200 |
| Nevada | $61,770 | 440 |
| New Hampshire | $62,630 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $66,930 | 270 |
| New Mexico | $79,490 | 790 |
| New York | $69,640 | 1,410 |
| North Carolina | $61,760 | 720 |
| North Dakota | $56,000 | 150 |
| Ohio | $65,000 | 1,310 |
| Oklahoma | $56,470 | 370 |
| Oregon | $65,000 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,640 | 1,020 |
| Puerto Rico | $35,890 | — |
| Rhode Island | $84,640 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $58,490 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $55,090 | 310 |
| Texas | $57,980 | 4,420 |
| Utah | $57,340 | 280 |
| Vermont | $61,960 | 80 |
| Virginia | $62,380 | 840 |
| Washington | $104,910 | 570 |
| West Virginia | $81,470 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $64,440 | 640 |
| Wyoming | $68,250 | 80 |
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Environmental Health 108 colleges
- Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene 38 colleges
- Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality 13 colleges
- Radiation Protection / Health Physics Technician 9 colleges
- Environmental Toxicology 14 colleges
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Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 19-5012.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC 19-5012. Outlook and entry education: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.