How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do occupational health and safety specialists make?

The US median is $90,150 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

177 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Occupational health and safety specialists: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Science · SOC 19-5011

$90,150US median pay, 2025

+18.5%Projected growth, 2025–35

17,100Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work in: occupational health and safety specialists

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Environmental Health	CIP 51.2202	81
Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician	CIP 15.0701	58
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene	CIP 51.2206	25
Industrial Safety Technology/Technician	CIP 15.0703	20
Environmental Toxicology	CIP 26.1006	11
Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality	CIP 51.2213	4

See the 177 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do occupational health and safety specialists make?: The US median is $90,150 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 177 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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