Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Occupational health and safety technicians (SOC 19-5012) employed 30,590 people in May 2025. The median pay is $61,560 a year ($29.59 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,280 and the highest-paid 10% more than $100,160. BLS projects its employment to change by +19.4% between 2025 and 2035 (about 3,800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: Washington ($104,910), Rhode Island ($84,640), West Virginia ($81,470). Most jobs: Texas (4,420), California (2,650), Illinois (1,790).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| 25th percentile | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Median | $61,560 | $29.59 |
| Mean | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| 75th percentile | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $100,160 | $48.15 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 31,200 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 37,200 |
| Change in jobs | 6,100 |
| Percent change | +19.4% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 3,800 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 880 | 2.11 | $55,010 | $41,780 | $96,350 | -11% | 23% |
| Alaska | 140 | 2.15 | $80,760 | $44,210 | $135,420 | +31% | 21% |
| Arizona | 440 | 0.69 | $65,480 | $49,520 | $82,840 | +6% | 31% |
| Arkansas | 510 | 2.01 | $50,840 | $40,100 | $76,490 | -17% | 23% |
| California | 2,650 | 0.74 | $61,360 | $44,170 | $105,950 | -0% | 41% |
| Colorado | 400 | 0.71 | $73,110 | $56,640 | $97,460 | +19% | 30% |
| Connecticut | 130 | 0.39 | $68,310 | $60,910 | $104,460 | +11% | 27% |
| Delaware | 150 | 1.55 | $62,310 | $47,380 | $99,000 | +1% | 29% |
| Florida | 1,000 | 0.51 | $59,140 | $49,590 | $85,390 | -4% | 37% |
| Georgia | 1,210 | 1.26 | $63,290 | $48,030 | $103,380 | +3% | 29% |
| Idaho | 240 | 1.41 | $60,670 | $48,150 | $105,230 | -1% | 27% |
| Illinois | 1,790 | 1.49 | $65,960 | $50,810 | $106,480 | +7% | 24% |
| Indiana | 1,660 | 2.64 | $60,150 | $46,880 | $82,690 | -2% | 22% |
| Iowa | 290 | 0.93 | $58,300 | $45,700 | $82,170 | -5% | 20% |
| Kansas | 480 | 1.70 | $59,740 | $43,410 | $91,370 | -3% | 22% |
| Kentucky | 650 | 1.65 | $61,120 | $48,510 | $100,160 | -1% | 20% |
| Louisiana | 780 | 2.05 | $57,930 | $30,680 | $100,750 | -6% | 22% |
| Maine | 140 | 1.09 | $64,240 | $56,310 | $83,710 | +4% | 23% |
| Maryland | 280 | 0.52 | $64,670 | $44,260 | $95,740 | +5% | 32% |
| Massachusetts | 290 | 0.41 | $68,730 | $51,840 | $99,270 | +12% | 32% |
| Michigan | 450 | 0.52 | $67,310 | $48,490 | $112,080 | +9% | 21% |
| Minnesota | 270 | 0.47 | $74,400 | $50,730 | $94,890 | +21% | 21% |
| Mississippi | 360 | 1.56 | $61,230 | $37,920 | $100,680 | -1% | 19% |
| Missouri | 270 | 0.46 | $64,490 | $47,410 | $105,930 | +5% | 20% |
| Montana | 60 | 0.63 | $41,420 | $37,440 | $89,630 | -33% | 34% |
| Nebraska | 200 | 1.02 | $59,180 | $44,900 | $117,220 | -4% | 22% |
| Nevada | 440 | 1.46 | $61,770 | $49,790 | $108,520 | +0% | 33% |
| New Hampshire | 50 | 0.40 | $62,630 | $50,960 | $82,610 | +2% | 30% |
| New Jersey | 270 | 0.33 | $66,930 | $48,340 | $103,940 | +9% | 32% |
| New Mexico | 790 | 4.62 | $79,490 | $47,510 | $135,200 | +29% | 17% |
| New York | 1,410 | 0.74 | $69,640 | $48,690 | $93,890 | +13% | 28% |
| North Carolina | 720 | 0.74 | $61,760 | $49,400 | $89,340 | +0% | 26% |
| North Dakota | 150 | 1.76 | $56,000 | $39,700 | $99,370 | -9% | 21% |
| Ohio | 1,310 | 1.20 | $65,000 | $51,350 | $88,040 | +6% | 20% |
| Oklahoma | 370 | 1.10 | $56,470 | $34,530 | $80,990 | -8% | 22% |
| Oregon | 230 | 0.60 | $65,000 | $56,280 | $95,200 | +6% | 29% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,020 | 0.85 | $61,640 | $47,420 | $90,810 | +0% | 24% |
| Rhode Island | 60 | 0.57 | $84,640 | $52,470 | $131,280 | +37% | 20% |
| South Carolina | 420 | 0.94 | $58,490 | $45,030 | $92,460 | -5% | 26% |
| Tennessee | 310 | 0.47 | $55,090 | $45,030 | $74,360 | -11% | 28% |
| Texas | 4,420 | 1.60 | $57,980 | $44,060 | $87,770 | -6% | 31% |
| Utah | 280 | 0.82 | $57,340 | $39,100 | $79,990 | -7% | 33% |
| Vermont | 80 | 1.40 | $61,960 | $54,390 | $82,600 | +1% | 26% |
| Virginia | 840 | 1.04 | $62,380 | $41,470 | $96,530 | +1% | 32% |
| Washington | 570 | 0.81 | $104,910 | $58,010 | $119,920 | +70% | 21% |
| West Virginia | 320 | 2.32 | $81,470 | $60,040 | $91,190 | +32% | 13% |
| Wisconsin | 640 | 1.11 | $64,440 | $51,730 | $92,060 | +5% | 21% |
| Wyoming | 80 | 1.37 | $68,250 | $50,260 | $87,690 | +11% | 18% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 350 | $80,630 | $59,360 | $132,540 | 4.40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 450 | $80,390 | $50,230 | $125,900 | 0.97 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,090 | $77,150 | $52,790 | $98,550 | 0.58 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 360 | $67,930 | $52,070 | $98,240 | 1.66 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 730 | $67,550 | $48,350 | $103,810 | 1.28 |
| Columbus, OH | 300 | $64,940 | $52,560 | $83,680 | 1.39 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 340 | $64,870 | $49,520 | $80,260 | 0.74 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,310 | $62,670 | $50,240 | $108,540 | 1.47 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 830 | $60,440 | $48,890 | $75,570 | 3.82 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 410 | $60,300 | $52,430 | $89,040 | 1.22 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,540 | $60,200 | $40,330 | $105,660 | 2.37 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 630 | $59,310 | $40,940 | $104,140 | 0.51 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,350 | $58,230 | $47,160 | $78,940 | 1.69 |
The median is $61,560 a year ($29.59 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $46,280 and the highest-paid tenth over $100,160 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
30,590 in May 2025, and BLS projects +19.4% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
Washington, with a median of $104,910 (among states with published figures).