Occupational health and safety technicians help protect workers by identifying hazards, enforcing safety standards, and training employees on best practices. It is detail-oriented, in demand, and requires a bachelor's degree. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
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Occupational health and safety technicians evaluate workplaces to ensure they meet safety regulations and standards. You inspect job sites, identify potential hazards, and communicate findings to supervisors and teams. You monitor processes and materials to catch risks before they cause harm. You also train and teach workers on safety procedures and best practices. Your work spans manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and other industries where worker safety is critical. You use both technical knowledge and strong communication to keep people safe.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians earn a median of $61,560 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 9 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 3,400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You will need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Your studies will cover education and training, public safety and security, law and government, mathematics, and engineering and technology. The preparation level is medium, meaning you will develop practical skills alongside theory. Look for programs that include hands-on experience evaluating real workplaces or simulated environments. Internships and entry-level roles in safety departments can help you build experience while you study. Consider what industries interest you most, as some offer more entry points than others.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Your timeline and interests will shape which program fits best, so if you are exploring options, Pathly can map the occupational health and safety technician path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
Many occupational health and safety technicians must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are detail-oriented, rule-minded, and systematic. You like clear standards and processes. You communicate well and enjoy teaching others. You think critically about problems and take responsibility seriously.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).