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Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
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.
Other titles employers use
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
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, practical and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.6 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 48%
- A two-year degree 19%
- A certificate or some college 14%
- High school or less 10%
- A master's degree 9%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Document management software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,600
- Job openings each year
- 530
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 21.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,600 | 530 | 21.1% |
| Texas | 4,210 | 490 | 28.4% |
| Illinois | 1,370 | 150 | 8.7% |
| Indiana | 1,340 | 150 | 9.8% |
| Ohio | 1,300 | 140 | 14.0% |
| New York | 1,110 | 10 | 14.4% |
| Wisconsin | 1,020 | 110 | 14.6% |
| Louisiana | 980 | 110 | 15.3% |
| Georgia | 750 | 80 | 11.9% |
| Washington | 720 | 90 | 20.0% |
| Florida | 710 | 80 | 18.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 660 | 70 | 10.0% |
| New Jersey | 620 | 70 | 19.2% |
| Tennessee | 590 | 70 | 13.5% |
| North Carolina | 540 | 60 | 17.4% |
| Kentucky | 530 | 60 | 20.5% |
| Minnesota | 500 | 60 | 13.6% |
| Nevada | 470 | 60 | 46.9% |
| Kansas | 440 | 50 | 10.0% |
| Colorado | 420 | 50 | 16.7% |
| Missouri | 410 | 50 | 17.1% |
| Utah | 400 | 50 | 42.9% |
| Michigan | 360 | 40 | 5.9% |
| Alabama | 330 | 40 | 17.9% |
| New Mexico | 330 | 40 | 26.9% |
| Oklahoma | 330 | 40 | 17.9% |
| Iowa | 290 | 30 | 20.8% |
| South Carolina | 260 | 30 | 13.0% |
| Arizona | 240 | 30 | 14.3% |
| Oregon | 220 | 30 | 15.8% |
| Mississippi | 210 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Alaska | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Nebraska | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| North Dakota | 200 | 20 | 17.6% |
| Maryland | 190 | 20 | 11.8% |
| Arkansas | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Delaware | 150 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Idaho | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Massachusetts | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| West Virginia | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Guam | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Rhode Island | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Connecticut | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Maine | 100 | 10 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| New Hampshire | 80 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Montana | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| District of Columbia | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Vermont | 40 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 458
- Admit rate
- 61%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college MDUniversity of Maryland-College Park
- Degrees each year
- 416
- Admit rate
- 45%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college CAUniversity of California-Irvine
- Degrees each year
- 392
- Admit rate
- 26%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college NJRutgers University-New Brunswick
- Degrees each year
- 399
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college CACalifornia State University-Fullerton
- Degrees each year
- 361
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college CAUniversity of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 338
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college TXThe University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 326
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college NVUniversity of Nevada-Reno
- Degrees each year
- 310
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college