What Does it Take to Be an Occupational Health and Safety Technician?
Job Description: 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.
Daily Life Of an Occupational Health & Safety Technician
- Conduct interviews to obtain information or evidence regarding communicable diseases or violations of health or sanitation regulations.
- 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.
- Prepare documents to be used in legal proceedings, testifying in such proceedings when necessary.
- Help direct rescue or firefighting operations in the event of a fire or an explosion.
- 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.
- Prepare or calibrate equipment used to collect or analyze samples.
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Skills Needed to be an Occupational Health & Safety Technician
Below is a list of the skills most Occupational Health and Safety Technicians say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Occupational Health and Safety Technician
- Environmental, Health, and Safety EHS Leader
- Safety Technician
- Occupational Health and Safety Technologist
- Safety Assistant
- Plant Safety Leader
Job Outlook for Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 18,100 jobs in the United States for Occupational Health and Safety Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Occupational Health and Safety Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,100 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Occupational Health & Safety Technician are North Dakota, Florida, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Kentucky, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Occupational Health & Safety Technician
The typical yearly salary for Occupational Health and Safety Technicians is somewhere between $32,080 and $84,400.
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians who work in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Wyoming, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Occupational Health and Safety Technicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,690 |
| Alaska | $65,960 |
| Arizona | $55,780 |
| Arkansas | $51,000 |
| California | $60,970 |
| Colorado | $61,990 |
| Connecticut | $54,680 |
| Delaware | $55,750 |
| Florida | $46,530 |
| Georgia | $63,570 |
| Hawaii | $59,170 |
| Idaho | $55,860 |
| Illinois | $62,390 |
| Indiana | $41,380 |
| Iowa | $48,020 |
| Kansas | $49,480 |
| Kentucky | $47,590 |
| Louisiana | $54,690 |
| Maine | $53,750 |
| Maryland | $61,440 |
| Massachusetts | $74,870 |
| Michigan | $50,350 |
| Minnesota | $54,180 |
| Mississippi | $47,780 |
| Missouri | $44,420 |
| Montana | $61,040 |
| Nebraska | $51,810 |
| Nevada | $48,340 |
| New Jersey | $65,210 |
| New Mexico | $59,500 |
| New York | $61,850 |
| North Carolina | $55,550 |
| North Dakota | $56,020 |
| Ohio | $53,210 |
| Oklahoma | $48,830 |
| Oregon | $60,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,140 |
| Rhode Island | $68,400 |
| South Carolina | $62,060 |
| Tennessee | $54,120 |
| Texas | $53,350 |
| Utah | $54,370 |
| Virginia | $54,750 |
| Washington | $62,510 |
| West Virginia | $60,450 |
| Wisconsin | $50,790 |
| Wyoming | $66,070 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Occupational Health and Safety Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Database software
- Graphics software
- Presentation software
- Statistical analysis software
- Teleconferencing software
How to Become an Occupational Health & Safety Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become an Occupational Health and Safety Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Occupational Health and Safety Technicians Work?
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Occupational Health and Safety Technician might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Occupational Health and Safety Technician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Article 25 Flickr via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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