Jobs in Occupational Safety
Jobs in Occupational Safety and Health can be suited for people with various backgrounds and interests. Our graduates work in a variety of industries and earn very competitive wages.
Based on the results of our 2017 alumni survey, 80% of our graduates earn $50,000 per year or more with their first job in safety. 97% of our graduates who are seeking employment have a job in safety within one year of graduation. Our graduates work in a variety of industries and settings, including: healthcare, transportation, tourism, laboratories, manufacturing, oil and gas, retail, government agencies, mining, and the armed services.
Occupational Safety Career Information
Occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals work to keep people safe and healthy while on the job. This is done by recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace hazards. OHS professionals also design and manage safety programs, investigate workplace accidents, and provide safety training to employees.
Our graduates enjoy high salaries and excellent job placement rates. 98% of our alumni who seek employment in OHS have a job within one year of graduation. About 80% of our graduates receive starting salaries over $50,000 per year, and many will earn over $100,000 per year after several years of experience (see: Safety Industry Salary Survey). A master's degree and/or professional certification enhance opportunities for increased pay.
Our alumni are employed in many industries (e.g. energy, transportation, retail, entertainment, hospitality, healthcare) and work in a variety of settings. These different work environments include offices, hospitals, factories, mines, and laboratories. Most OHS professionals work in the private sector (for a company). Some are employed in government, academia, or consulting.
Graduate Programs
Graduate programs in occupational health and industrial hygiene have excellent funding. Our alumni who pursue master's degrees often have all of their tuition paid through government grants, and many also receive a monthly stipend to cover their living expenses.
Below is a list of ABET-accredited industrial hygiene programs:
Board for Global EHS Credentialing
Students who plan to pursue a graduate degree should consider applying to industrial hygiene programs with NIOSH funding. This may improve their financial aid during their master's program.