How much does a safety technician make?
a year · about $30 an hour
A typical safety technician in the United States makes $61,560 a year, about $30 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They visit factories or construction sites, test for hazards, check workers’ safety gear, and record what they find. They may also teach safety rules or help investigate an accident, sometimes on an emergency weekend.
Did you know? Safety technicians may test for hidden hazards such as radiation, germs, chemicals, and excessive noise—not just obvious dangers like broken equipment.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $46,280 and $100,160How do you become one?
In the US, technicians usually need a high school diploma and learn on the job; some earn a community-college safety certificate or associate degree. Employers may prefer or require certification, which can involve schooling, work experience, and an exam.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, sought-after safety skills or certifications, the employer and industry, and location; more complex or responsible tasks may pay more too. Some technicians also work extra hours or emergency weekends, and focus on different hazards.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($104,910), lowest in Arkansas ($50,840).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,280 | $61,560 | $100,160 | about 31,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $104,910 | about 570 |
| New Mexico | $79,490 | about 790 |
| New York | $69,640 | about 1,000 |
| Illinois | $65,960 | about 2,000 |
| Ohio | $65,000 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: 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.
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/details/19-5012.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY