Salary guide
Occupational Safety Specialist Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What occupational safety specialists earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median occupational safety specialist salary in the U.S. is $90,150 per year, or $43.34 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $55,000, while the top 10% earned more than $134,950.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Occupational Safety Specialist pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,000 | $26.44 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $69,560 | $33.44 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $90,150 | $43.34 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $111,690 | $53.70 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $134,950 | $64.88 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $69,560 | $90,150 | $111,690 |
| Per month | $5,797 | $7,513 | $9,308 |
| Every two weeks | $2,675 | $3,467 | $4,296 |
| Per week | $1,338 | $1,734 | $2,148 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects occupational safety specialist pay
- Required credentials (HAZWOPER, CSP, state inspector or operator licenses)
- Government versus private-sector employment
- Hazard level and emergency-response duties
- Industry (construction, energy, chemical and federal contracting)
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as an occupational safety specialist
- Get credentialed: ASP and CSP (BCSP), CHST and OHST (BCSP), OSHA 30 / OSHA 500 or 510.
- Build specialty experience: Run programs and investigations for a site.
- Move up: roles such as safety manager and ehs director typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Occupational Safety Specialist pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of occupational safety specialists to change by +18.5% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 17,100 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 19-5011 (“Occupational health and safety specialists”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Occupational Safety Specialist salary FAQ
How much does an occupational safety specialist make per hour?
The median hourly wage for occupational safety specialists was $43.34 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $26.44 and the top 10% earned about $64.88 or more.
How much does an occupational safety specialist make a month?
At the median annual wage of $90,150, that works out to about $7,513 per month before taxes, or about $3,467 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for an occupational safety specialist?
New occupational safety specialists often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $55,000 and the 25th percentile was $69,560 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can occupational safety specialists earn more?
Common ways include earning ASP and CSP (BCSP) and CHST and OHST (BCSP), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as safety manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-5011 (Occupational health and safety specialists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Occupational health and safety specialists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.