Occupational Health and Safety Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Occupational Health and Safety Technicians earn a median salary of $61,560 per year, ranking in the top 50% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +19.4% job growth through 2035, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do occupational health and safety technicians earn?

The median annual wage for occupational health and safety technicians is $61,560. That puts occupational health and safety technicians at #411 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is occupational health and safety technicians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for occupational health and safety technicians is +19.4%, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 31K positions in 2024 to 37K in 2034, a net change of 6K. Very fast growth indicates significant talent shortages and unusually strong hiring momentum — often the most resilient outlook a teenager can plan toward.

What do occupational health and safety technicians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working occupational health and safety technicians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
2. 2.Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
3. 3.Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.
4. 4.Review records or reports concerning laboratory results, staffing, floor plans, fire inspections, or sanitation to gather information for the development or enforcement of safety activities.
5. 5.Examine credentials, licenses, or permits to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
6. 6.Collect data regarding potential hazards from new equipment or products linked to green practices.
7. 7.Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order.
8. 8.Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.

Top skills for occupational health and safety technicians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become occupational health and safety technician?

The standard path into occupational health and safety technicians begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Chemical Technicians
  $60,390 median
• Biological Technicians
  $57,510 median
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
  $55,090 median
• Forest and Conservation Technicians
  $54,560 median
• Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
  $53,350 median
• Food Science Technicians
  $52,130 median

Common questions parents ask about occupational health and safety technicians