Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
SOC Code: 19-5011 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82,139 | $110,864 | $139,568 | $168,293 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $79,144 | $101,483 | $123,802 | $146,141 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $83,450 | $102,107 | $120,786 | $139,443 |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $60,382 | $84,136 | $107,910 | $131,664 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $64,771 | $85,155 | $105,539 | $125,923 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $61,110 | $82,264 | $103,438 | $124,592 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $69,722 | $87,734 | $105,747 | $123,760 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $64,022 | $83,366 | $102,690 | $122,034 |
| Boulder, CO | $74,589 | $90,147 | $105,685 | $121,243 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $67,246 | $84,906 | $102,544 | $120,203 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Amsted Rail | 1 | $103,206 |
| Amsted Rail Co. Inc. | 1 | $117,169 |
| Coastal Gulf & International, Inc. | 1 | $50,773 |
| Kelly Services, Inc. | 1 | $72,800 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | $103,206 |
| 2024 | 1 | $50,773 |
| 2025 | 2 | $94,985 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Writing | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 | |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.8 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| English Language | 4.0 |
| Chemistry | 3.9 |
| Education and Training | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.6 |
| Biology | 3.6 |
| Law and Government | 3.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 73.9% |
| Master's degree | 8.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.7% |
| Some college | 4.3% |
| Associate's degree | 4.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
- Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software Curtis Management Resources Training Management System Database software ESS Compliance Suite EcoLogic ADAM Indoor Air Quality and Analytical Data Management
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