Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Washington
Considering working as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Washington? Here’s what the data says. Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.
What do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Make in Washington?
For occupational health and safety specialists working in Washington, the typical annual salary is $98,300 per year (or about $47.26/hour).Annual wages span from $67,160 at the 10th percentile to $135,990 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| 25th percentile | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Median (50th) | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| 75th percentile | $116,090 | $55.81 |
| 90th percentile | $135,990 | $65.38 |
The job concentration index in Washington relative to the national average — is 1.29, meaning that occupational health and safety specialists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, occupational health and safety specialists earn a median of $105,544 per year ($50.74/hour), lower than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 70,623 occupational health and safety specialists in the U.S.. In Washington alone, about 3,820 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,700 occupational health and safety specialists.
Top Washington Metros for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
The metro areas below employ the most occupational health and safety specialists in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,240 | $99,680 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 270 | $113,120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 200 | $92,860 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 170 | $90,780 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 150 | $100,190 |
| Yakima, WA | 80 | $82,800 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 60 | $97,470 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 50 | $88,350 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 50 | $80,490 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 30 | $84,330 |
Top States for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most occupational health and safety specialists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 17,180 |
| California | 14,600 |
| Ohio | 5,960 |
| Florida | 5,920 |
| New York | 5,520 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,740 |
| North Carolina | 4,070 |
| Washington | 3,820 |
| Virginia | 3,820 |
| Massachusetts | 3,380 |
| Indiana | 3,250 |
| Colorado | 3,100 |
| Michigan | 3,070 |
| Arizona | 3,020 |
| Georgia | 2,970 |
| New Jersey | 2,840 |
| Tennessee | 2,470 |
| Minnesota | 2,390 |
| Kentucky | 2,300 |
| Illinois | 2,280 |
Highest-Paying States for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Where occupational health and safety specialists earn the most: occupational health and safety specialists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $115,710 |
| California | $99,530 |
| Washington | $98,300 |
| Rhode Island | $98,240 |
| Illinois | $96,570 |
| Colorado | $96,310 |
| Massachusetts | $96,250 |
| Minnesota | $93,640 |
| Wyoming | $93,010 |
| New Hampshire | $92,220 |
Skills
Top occupational health and safety specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for occupational health and safety specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
- Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
- Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
- Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
- Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.
- Write reports.
- Inspect specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, or first-aid supplies.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Training and Teaching Others
- Working with Computers
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Quality Control Technology
- Public Health
- Pharmacology & Toxicology
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Related Careers
Other careers like occupational health and safety specialists include:
- Security Managers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
- Security Management Specialists
- Environmental Engineers
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Also Known As
Analysis Safety Inspector, Cause Analyst, Certified Indoor Environmentalist, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Chemical Hygiene Officer, Construction Safety Manager, Consumer Safety Inspector, Dining Service Inspector, EHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer), EHS Specialist (Environmental Health and Safety Specialist), Environmental Health Inspector, Environmental Health Sanitarian, Environmental Health Technologist, Environmental Protection Inspector, Environmental Protection Officer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-5011.00