How to become an Occupational Health and Safety Technician
Official title: Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Also called: Advisory Industrial Hygienist, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Construction Safety Consultant, EHS Advisor (Environmental, Health, and Safety Advisor), Health and Safety Technician (Health and Safety Tech), Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Industrial Hygienist, Safety Specialist, Safety Technician (Safety Tech), Safety Trainer
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
How to become one
Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Occupational health and safety technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job.
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Occupational Health and Safety Technician (Nof).
- College: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 29 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $61,560 a year The middle half earn $52,470 to $78,850.
- About 31,200 people work in this job now, and about 37,200 are projected by 2035. (+19.4%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Occupational Health and Safety Technician?
Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Occupational health and safety technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job.
How much does an Occupational Health and Safety Technician earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $61,560 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $52,470 to $78,850.
Is an Occupational Health and Safety Technician a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2035, from about 31,200 to about 37,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Occupational Health and Safety Technician?
Not always. 52% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Health & Public Health degrees; Occupational Health and Safety Technician (Nof).
Will AI change the work of an Occupational Health and Safety Technician?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.