Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
SOC 19-5011 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists is $81,140, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $85,570, and an estimated 122,300 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +6.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -9.7% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 12.5% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $81,140 | $81,140 | 122,300 |
| 2022 | $78,570 | $81,804 | 109,430 |
| 2021 | $77,560 | $87,215 | 106,340 |
| 2020 | $76,340 | $89,876 | 95,960 |
Nominal change
+6.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-9.7%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+12.5%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
131,900
Projected 2034
148,400
Annual Openings
14,900
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $81,140. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $106,750 | +31.6% | 240 |
| California | $102,580 | +26.4% | 14,400 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $98,430 | +21.3% | 60 |
| Rhode Island | $97,640 | +20.3% | 200 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $95,930 | +18.2% | 230 |
| Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $95,380 | +17.5% | 140 |
| Colorado | $94,810 | +16.8% | 2,970 |
| Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $94,000 | +15.8% | 30 |
| Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $93,870 | +15.7% | 150 |
| Alaska | $93,450 | +15.2% | 290 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$49,550
25th Pct
$62,630
Median
$81,140
75th Pct
$102,690
90th Pct
$128,040
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAN INC. | GU | 5 | $51,563 |
| West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. | MI | 2 | $77,400 |
| TeamSuccess LLC | TX | 1 | $65,603 |
| Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma Inc | OK | 1 | $56,790 |
| C. Overaa & Co. | CA | 1 | $86,336 |
| Lend Lease (US) Construction Inc. | NY | 1 | $185,000 |
| BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. | NJ | 1 | $127,500 |
| Dragados USA | TX | 1 | $149,000 |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | TX | 1 | $62,754 |
| SMITHBRIDGE GUAM, INC. | GU | 1 | $83,776 |
| International Safety Systems, Inc. | TX | 1 | $125,000 |
| Edgewood Partners Insurance Center | GA | 1 | $95,352 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Life, Physical & Social Science
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Life, Physical & Social Science occupations →