How much does a safety specialist make?
a year · about $43 an hour
A typical safety specialist in the United States makes $90,150 a year, about $43 an hour, about 1.8× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They walk through factories or job sites, inspect equipment and work habits, and test for dangers such as dust or unsafe air. They teach safer practices, investigate accidents, and write reports suggesting fixes.
Did you know? Some U.S. safety specialists can order work to stop if it threatens workers’ health or safety—not just point out a hazard.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $55,000 and $134,950How do you become one?
Most U.S. safety specialists earn a bachelor's in occupational safety or a related field; some jobs need a master's. Many start after college, often in their early 20s, and some employers require certification based on accredited study, work experience, and an exam.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like figuring things out and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with experience and certification, the industry or employer, and location. The difficulty or responsibility of the work can matter too, and some specialists work more than 40 hours a week.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($103,970), lowest in Arkansas ($73,130).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55,000 | $90,150 | $134,950 | about 141,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $103,970 | about 3,000 |
| Washington | $102,920 | about 4,000 |
| California | $102,840 | about 16,000 |
| Colorado | $101,400 | about 3,000 |
| New Hampshire | $101,260 | about 610 |
Official definition: Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-health-and-safety-specialists-and-techni
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-5011.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY