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Job outlook for occupational health and safety specialists in the United States
Are occupational health and safety specialist jobs in demand?
Occupational health and safety specialist job and salary trends over time
Occupational health and safety specialist jobs over time
Occupational health and safety specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 231 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 241 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 262 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 678 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 623 | 0.00% |
Average occupational health and safety specialist salary over time
Occupational health and safety specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $59,335 | $28.53 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $57,275 | $27.54 | --20.3% |
| 2024 | $71,833 | $34.54 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $70,613 | $33.95 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $69,767 | $33.54 | +1.0% |
Occupational health and safety specialist jobs by state
Most common states for occupational health and safety specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 257 | 37% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 842 | 27% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 141 | 24% |
| 4 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,533 | 23% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 306 | 23% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 171 | 23% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 213 | 22% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 192 | 22% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,553 | 21% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,175 | 21% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 607 | 21% |
| 12 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 352 | 21% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 129 | 21% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 946 | 19% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 370 | 19% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,824 | 18% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,531 | 18% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,078 | 18% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,054 | 18% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 193 | 18% |
Most common cities for occupational health and safety specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | 1 | 4% | $59,256 |
| 2 | Seal Beach | 1 | 4% | $61,005 |
| 3 | Martinez | 1 | 3% | $69,575 |
| 4 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $75,517 |
| 5 | Pueblo | 1 | 1% | $61,968 |
| 6 | Yuma | 1 | 1% | $56,926 |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $57,750 |
| 8 | Memphis | 1 | 0% | $49,722 |
| 9 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $57,259 |
| 10 | Wichita | 1 | 0% | $45,085 |
Occupational Health And Safety Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of occupational health and safety specialist experts
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Calvin University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
University of Central Missouri
Southeastern Louisiana University
University of Alaska Anchorage
La Salle University
California State University - Los Angeles
University of New England, College of Graduate & Professional Studies
Middle Tennessee State University
Bowling Green State University
Appalachian State University
Arizona State University
San Jose State University
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Eastern Virginia Medical School
CoARC - Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
Kent State University
Montclair State University
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health And Safety Specialist?
Andy Perry MS, CSP: It is recommended that students seek different internships with a variety of employers, and possibly varied industries, leading up to graduation. Although ISU’s Safety Management program requires one 300-hour internship for graduation, accepting two or three during the undergraduate program provides experience, income, and looks more appealing to employers. Attending local, regional, and national safety conferences, professional development courses, and seeking professional designations and certifications is also helpful to new safety professionals. Conference and courses will better their knowledge about their field, but also allow networking with other safety professionals. New graduates of ISU’s Safety Management program may apply for the Board of Certified Safety Professional’s (BCSP’s) Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation. The GSP allows them to bypass taking the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) exam as well as saving them the time and money to study/prepare for that exam. The GSP and ASP are a step on the way to the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential which is viewed as the gold standard for safety professionals. ISU Safey Management graduates also may apply for the Associate Safety & Health Manager (ASHM) credential through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). There is also a Student version (ST-ASHM) they may apply for prior to graduation. The ASHM is a step on the way to the Certified Safety & Health Manager (CSHM) credential.
What Occupational Health And Safety Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andy Perry MS, CSP: People skills are underrated and overlooked. Being approachable and knowing how to approach others, especially for difficult situations involving occupational safety and health exposure hazards, will go a long way to make things easier. The use of newer technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), in the workplace and on job sites will benefit, as well as challenge, safety professionals in the coming years. The more training and experience with new technologies such as AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), etc. will benefit safety professionals so they understand their uses and limitations to help prevent injuries and illnesses.
What will help Occupational Health And Safety Specialists increase their earning potential?
Andy Perry MS, CSP: Ask lots of questions. There are no dumb questions. Tell people when you don’t know the answer. You can always look it up later and get back to them. Guessing or misremembering can cause problems down the road. Document any recommendations made to your employer to keep a record of things for future reference.
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health And Safety Specialist?
Dr. Nick Nichols Professor: Obtain as many certifications as you can. Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs) are certainly in demand, but other certifications such as first responder training, confined space training, OSHA General Industry, Construction Safety and Recordkeeping certifications will make entrants more marketable to potential employers. It will also make them more flexible if they should decide to seek out new opportunities in the field. Additionally, the ability to speak fluid Spanish is more and more becoming a job requirement for many employers. As I often tell many of my advisees, "if you decide to learn the Spanish language, you will enhance your opportunities for competitive positions and salaries almost exponentially."
What Occupational Health And Safety Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Nick Nichols Professor: In my opinion, in the field of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) the first and foremost skill that both entry-level and veteran workers in the field must cultivate is the ability to get along well with people. ALL TYPES of people. From the most reluctant to participate in safety, to the most eager. Regardless of what area of the field OSH professionals choose, at some point they must deal with multiple types of personalities. Be flexible, sharpen your soft skills, and be prepared to face both negative and positive attitudes toward the field with the utmost professionalism. Beyond that, the rise of technology and social media in the field can't be ignored. From the use of drones to conduct safety inspections (both at the federal government and corporate levels) to the need to network via social media with other safety professionals, organizations, and governmental entities, entrants into the field must be technically proficient interacting with technology all along this spectrum. Additionally, proficiency with these types of technologies will enable them to successfully utilize the ever-evolving equipment a safety professional must utilize to perform the practical work they must complete effectively in the field on a regular basis.
What will help Occupational Health And Safety Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Nick Nichols Professor: Don't let salary be your only guide. Choose an area of the field that you are most interested in, and that will provide you with a positive atmosphere for growth and protecting employees (our overriding goal). The bonuses, promotions and other perks will come eventually, due to the passion you exhibit for what you do. Conversely, if you find yourself in a "bait and switch" situation (a negative motivational environment), be prepared to "warm up your resume."
Toluwani Adekunle
Calvin University
Public Health
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health And Safety Specialist?
Toluwani Adekunle: Public Health is quite broad with five primary streams: Epidemiology, Health Policy and
Management, Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Biostatistics, and Environmental
and Occupational Health. It is important for a graduate, who is just beginning their career to
engage in adequate research on where their skills would be most needed within their
selected niche. There is often a lot of crossover and collaborations between specialists from
any of the primary focal areas. However, it is advised that graduates do their research on
identifying the institutions (i.e., academic, non-academic, non-profit, research institutes,
etc.) that are hiring people with the skills that they have.
More so, it is important for graduates to be active on job board, institutional organizations
etc., looking at the profile of employers that have the types of jobs that they are either
currently looking for, or aspire to have in the future. Frankly, understanding the skills needed
for the type of job one wants should be something we do before we enroll in any academic
program so that we can fully take advantage of courses and resources that would help us
gain those skills. However, if we happen to lack the necessary skills needed, we can always
work towards gaining those skills, while looking for jobs that fit the wealth of knowledge and
skills that we bring to the table. We might not start out with our "dream" job, but we can work
our way towards it by equipping ourselves with the necessary knowledge.
Tracey Cekada
Chairperson and Professor, Safety Sciences DepartmentIndiana University of Pennsylvania
Quality Control And Safety Technologies/Technicians
What general advice would you give to an Occupational Health And Safety Specialist?
Tracey Cekada: The soft skills continue to be paramount to success in occupational safety and health. Developing your communication skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and organizational skills (such as the ability to multi-task) are vital. Additionally, with the increase in the number of Hispanic and Latino workers in the workplace, and their higher workplace fatality rate than other groups, being able to speak Spanish will be a key skill to possess.
What Occupational Health And Safety Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tracey Cekada: There are a number of things you can do to increase your earning potential when starting your career. Research through the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other resources what the state and national average salaries are for your industry. Come prepared to the negotiating table too- be able to highlight what you can offer the company. Additionally, the value that conducting co-ops and internships can provide to you when in school is invaluable. These real-world experiences not only develop your skills, but they help you to form connections that could last a lifetime. All students should be taking advantage of these opportunities.
What will help Occupational Health And Safety Specialists increase their earning potential?
Tracey Cekada: There are a number of things you can do to increase your earning potential when starting your career. Research through the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other resources what the state and national average salaries are for your industry. Come prepared to the negotiating table too- be able to highlight what you can offer the company. Additionally, the value that conducting co-ops and internships can provide to you when in school is invaluable. These real-world experiences not only develop your skills, but they help you to form connections that could last a lifetime. All students should be taking advantage of these opportunities.
Wesley Tinker
Assistant Professor of SafetyUniversity of Central Missouri
Safety Sciences
What skills stand out on Occupational Health And Safety Specialist resumes?
Wesley Tinker: When reviewing an Occupational Health and Safety Professional resumes, specific items stand out from a viewer's standpoint.
-Whether the degree program they graduated from is ABET-accredited.
-Obtaining the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) upon graduation from a qualified degree program shows that the candidate has been very well educated for the safety profession.
-The experience from their internships. Expect to be asked about their day-to-day duties while in their internship.
-Professional skills noted such as time management, customer service, technological abilities, and overall organizational skills.
-Affiliations with safety organizations as well as student chapter organizations, such as the American ---Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP).
-Limiting to a single page for a resume is important. Most entry-level safety professionals are hired knowing they do not possess all the skill sets that a seasoned safety professional might have. The average resume for most industries is viewed for approximately 6 to 7 seconds. Having high-profile information toward the top of the resume is critical if wanting to be brought in for an interview.
-Certifications in OSHA 10 and 30, CPR/First Aid, as well as CPR/First Aid Instructor certification, is a very large advantage. If one really wanted to stand out, an EMT-B license would help too.
What soft skills should all Occupational Health And Safety Specialists possess?
Wesley Tinker: In the safety profession, one must be personable and know how to read the crowd and the individual.
-A strong work ethic is a standout for anyone, but effective multi-tasking in the safety profession will set you apart.
-As noted, time management is a professional trait all must possess to be successful in almost any industry.
Handling pressure and keeping composure under stressful situations shows your professionalism and handling most tasks presented to you.
Continuous improvement objectives so that the site safety culture is always advancing toward high worker morale and management support for what the safety professional is attempting to achieve.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Occupational Health And Safety Specialists?
Wesley Tinker: -Risk assessment skills are a must; without them, the individual will be lost.
-Ventilation and noise calculations as well as monitoring procedures.
-How to calibrate hazard monitoring equipment.
-Instructional skills. The safety professional spends a large portion of their days training workers to perform their tasks safely either in a classroom setting or individually on site.
-Ability to perform thorough accident investigations and provide preventative control measures based on causal factors found.
-Ability to quantitate values of risk versus controls as well as cost/benefit analysis.
-The technical uses for analytical techniques to break down analysis' in several different functions of the job duties.
-Able to apply OSHA requirements to specific site functions, i.e., secondary containment, hot works, and elevated working surfaces.
What skills will help Occupational Health And Safety Specialists earn the most?
Wesley Tinker: -Being a well-rounded safety professional is one of the absolute most important contributions to any organization. Being able to have several skill sets will make the professional highly marketable.
-Continuing education will advance one's pay range.
-An advanced degree will increase market salary.
-Professional certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals such as the GSP, CHST, SMS, ASP, CSP, and CIH.
-Overall, there must be a good mesh of personable and technical skills to be a highly successful safety professional in almost any industry.
Jared Reno
Undergraduate Coordinator of The Industrial and Engineering Technology DepartmentSoutheastern Louisiana University
Industrial and Engineering Technology
What skills stand out on Occupational Health And Safety Specialist resumes?
Jared Reno: In today's world, diversity stands out the most for our industrial and engineering technology students. Companies want employees that can adapt and change quickly and easily. If students have a wide background of knowledge and certifications, they can be put in different situations daily and still thrive. And what I mean about a wide background of knowledge is that they know a little about electricity and electronics, hydraulics and pneumatics, drafting and design, machining and machine tools, and managing people. This broad range of knowledge coupled with an in-depth study of one of these fields has helped our students truly succeed in their careers. They know how to bring different groups together to perform a task and get it done well because they can effectively communicate what is needed.
What soft skills should all Occupational Health And Safety Specialists possess?
Jared Reno: In industrial and engineering technologies, I believe that the most important soft skill is critical thinking skills like designing aptitudes to fit specific needs, innovating using the resources available to your company, troubleshooting problems in equipment, logistics, and interpersonal disputes. This industry is all about solving problems in new and creative ways, and that is why I think critical thinking skills are the most important.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Occupational Health And Safety Specialists?
Jared Reno: The most important technical skills someone needs to know is:
-One, how to read blueprints and professionally drafted plans. Our industry partners have told us that print reading is a must for all internships and part-time and full-time positions. It is expected that a college graduate of a technical field knows how to read plans
-Basic computer skills using Spreadsheets and Document formats such as Microsoft Word and Excel or Google Docs and Google Sheets. This is crucial for working in any industry but especially Engineering or Industrial practices. These are used to make procedures for safety and production. They are used to evaluate data that has been collected. They are used for organizing information for customers, employees, and manufacturers. The more you know about these programs, the easier your work life will be.
-Basic project management skills are also crucial. Even if you are not the "project manager," you need to have some skills. You need to know how to prioritize more important tasks, you need to know how to manage your time wisely, you need to know how to communicate with multiple people or groups of people.
What skills will help Occupational Health And Safety Specialists earn the most?
Jared Reno: Right now, we are seeing an outstanding demand for certified welding inspectors and supervisors. This is due to a huge age gap of experience, and none experienced workers. The average age of a welding inspector or supervisor is 64 years old. That means we are about to see a huge decline because these workers will be retiring.
-With that being said, experience is the key factor for improving your paycheck in this industry. The students who do the best throughout their lives started doing internships early in their college careers. This gave them relevant work experience plus a 4-year degree. This made them more desirable for companies, and so they got put into better positions before all the other graduates allowing them more opportunities to grow.
-One last thing that can help you earn more is to never stop your learning. Continue learning about your trade and continue to get certifications after graduating. The more credentials you have, the more desirable you are. Develop a thirst for knowledge and learning. It will help you in your career and in your life.
Gabriel Garcia Ph.D.
Professor of Public Health, MPH Program CoordinatorUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
UAA Division of Population Health Sciences
What skills stand out on Occupational Health And Safety Specialist resumes?
Gabriel Garcia Ph.D.: The skills that stand out on public health specialist resumes are quantitative and qualitative data analysis, conducting program evaluation, developing health promotion and disease prevention strategies, and health communication.
What skills will help Occupational Health And Safety Specialists earn the most?
Gabriel Garcia Ph.D.: Having leadership skills, having the technical skills above, having good negotiation and communication skills.
Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Ph.D.
Professor of Public HealthLa Salle University
Department of Urban Public Health and Nutrition
What skills stand out on Occupational Health And Safety Specialist resumes?
Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Ph.D.: Ability to understand the needs of the communities served and direct community members to the services necessary to address those needs. Thus, students need the ability to conduct a needs assessment. In addition, being skilled in software such as Excel and statistical computer packages such as SPSS are skills that stand out. Further, having research experience opens doors to a variety of research positions, particularly at large Research 1 institutions like the University of Pennsylvania.
What soft skills should all Occupational Health And Safety Specialists possess?
Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Ph.D.: Empathy. Public Health specialists need to communicate with community members in ways that show they deeply understand what people are experiencing, particularly when working with marginalized community members. In addition, and in relation to empathy, having good communication skills is very important. This includes public speaking skills and the ability to write well.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Occupational Health And Safety Specialists?
Kimberly Kisler Pisca MPH, PhD: COVID-19 has brought to light the many disparities that exist within health and healthcare. Public health professionals have always worked to address and ultimately reduce health disparities. Until these health disparities are ameliorated, there will be jobs in public health. Further, the need to design and implement culturally responsive programs, disseminate tailored health promotion materials, and connect people to resources has never been greater. Graduates of public health are entering a workforce that is in high need of their skills and expertise, particularly to address the impact of COVID-19, and that need is here to stay.
What's a good job out of college for Occupational Health And Safety Specialists?
Kimberly Kisler Pisca MPH, PhD: The field of public health is vast and diverse, so job opportunities can present in a number of settings and with a number of populations and health issues. However, the immediate need for public health professionals to assist with COVID-19 efforts presents a unique opportunity for recent graduates to assist with contact tracing and disease investigation, encouraging vaccination uptake, dispelling myths through health education and health promotion materials development, and connecting the community to much-needed resources. An entry-level job as a contact tracer, health educator, or peer case manager would be a great way to get valuable hands-on experience while meeting the immense need within the community.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Occupational Health And Safety Specialists?
Tracey Spinato: I think we will continue to see the public health field expand and grow, which should lead to more job opportunities for graduates. Because of the pandemic, public health is in the spotlight and it's drawing more attention to the field. As a result, I think we will see more funding for public health initiatives and more interdisciplinary collaboration between public health and other fields like medicine, education, mental health, business, and other sciences.
We're also seeing people from a wide variety of backgrounds interested in pursuing a public health career. People have seen the impact this pandemic has had on their families and communities and they are becoming more aware of the disparities in healthcare and health outcomes. They want to do more and they want to make an impact, so we have professionals like doctors, educators, mental health providers, and business administrators who are getting their Masters in Public Health. I believe this type of collaboration will continue to push the field forward and open more opportunities for graduates to apply their public health skills across a variety of disciplines.
What technical skills for an Occupational Health And Safety Specialist stand out to employers?
Tracey Spinato: I hear a lot of employers speak to the need for professionals who are strong in both written and verbal communication. While communication is critical to all public health fields, it's particularly important when it comes to those working in epidemiology, research, and data--we need public health professionals who can take that information and communicate the findings in a way that is accessible and effective. Writing is also critical to securing grants, so as we see more funding channeled towards public health, those with strong writing skills will be a tremendous asset to any public health organization. There is also a need for professionals who understand health policy--the pandemic has highlighted the need for policies that advocate for public health infrastructure, community health, prevention services, environmental health, and emergency management. Other than that, it's important that public health professionals stay up to date on new technology, statistical software, and social media marketing and communication.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Occupational Health And Safety Specialists?
Kahler Stone DrPH, MPH: For public health career jobs, having an Master of Public Health is a benchmark degree, though an undergraduate degree in Public Health provides a solid entry point into the broad field. Courses that have a practical skill attached to them can set a part applicants who have the same or similar credentials. For example, in the arena of epidemiology, two candidates who both have statistical analysis skill and expertise might be more competitive based on their class projects and hands-on experience with different software compared to a student who had limited contact with statistical software. One might have an edge if they know additional analysis platforms as well.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health And Safety Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Bradley Fevrier Ph.D.: Remote work will be the biggest mover in terms of trending. Public health as a field of study has been constantly evolving and given the current pandemic that is only going to continue. Proficiency in emergency/crisis management, epidemiology (qualitative and quantitative science) and anything telehealth related will see an increase in interest. Also, given the variability in understanding of the current health impacts of COVID-19, areas like data science, bioinformatics, and biostatistics will see upward mobility.
What's a good job out of college for Occupational Health And Safety Specialists?
Adam Hege Ph.D.: Coming out of college in the current context, public health students are going to be needed in community-based interventions and in the context of Covid-19, much expertise will be needed in relation to contact tracing and "boots on the ground" epidemiology and surveillance. These jobs will be found largely in local health departments and nonprofit agencies dedicated to this work. There is a strong likelihood that we will continue to see substantial growth in the public health workforce over the next 1-2 years as we continue to respond and mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic. And, we can expect that the future will involve more epidemics and pandemics that will need to be prevented and addressed.
Micki Hrncir
Senior Lecturer, Health Education & Health Promotion, Degree Director, BS Public Health, Faculty, Health & Wellness Coach, (ASU Certified)Arizona State University
College of Health Solutions
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health And Safety Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Micki Hrncir: To answer this question some context should be given to orient readers to the field of public health. It is important to note that public health efforts, when working well, are virtually invisible and difficult to quantify. For instance, safe food and food preparation in restaurants are a result of public health efforts. It is difficult to quantify the number of foodborne diseases that were prevented by public health professionals. When vaccination rates fall we are reminded how quickly these preventable diseases can spread. Vaccination programs and policies have successfully prevented the circulation of many dangerous preventable communicable diseases.
Because the absence of disease is not routinely noticed by the public and elected leaders we have seen an erosion of funding except in the event of calamity. After 9/11, in 2001, Congress allocated funding for public health emergency preparedness (PHEP). In 2006, there was an infusion of funds related to pandemic influenza planning. In 2009, during the H1N1 pandemic, additional pandemic funding was allocated. These funds were used to develop the plan, resources, and logistics of running responses like mass vaccination clinics. When we see large Point Of Dispensing (POD) mass vaccination sites set up this is a result of prior years' planning and is a public health success story.
However, funding for such efforts has declined in the years leading up to the present and underfunding of the public health system has contributed to some of the failures we have observed during this pandemic. Please see the chart in this article to view PHEP/pandemic funding from 2001-2016. For instance, the Strategic National Stockpile was depleted after H1N1 and funding was not approved to restock. PPE and respirators should have been plentiful and stockpiled by the federal government for deployment to local communities. The health care delivery system - a patchwork system of insurance providers, clinics and hospitals - though an important partner, is not responsible for national pandemic planning - this is the responsibility of the public health system through the nearly 3,000 local public health departments.
So, to the question about trends - I hope that this pandemic is a wake-up call to the public and policy-makers about the importance of the public health system in preventing disease, preparing for public health concerns, and responding to outbreaks. COVID-19 and the variants will be with us for the foreseeable future. With this renewed appreciation for the role of public health we should see increased funding. This will create job opportunities in local public health departments and community health centers for health education, prevention, and planning. Specifically careers in applied epidemiology (such as contact tracing and disease outbreak investigation), health education, public health information officials, program planning and evaluation, and environmental health and safety are all vital public health roles that are currently understaffed and under resourced across the country.
Looking to population health jobs which may include those in government, there are also opportunities in program planning and management in community agencies which provide services related to the social determinants of health, as well as in the healthcare delivery system (insurance, clinics and hospitals) in the area of population health management and quality improvement. Finally, an often-overlooked area of population health is in communicating scientific knowledge to the community and policy makers through the media and advocacy groups. Strong voices supporting population health with the ability to draw upon the body of scientific knowledge is increasingly important in order to ensure accurate information is available to the American public and policymakers.
Christine Foster
Adjunct ProfessorSan Jose State University
Industrial Systems and Engineering Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health And Safety Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Christine Foster: I believe that the pandemic will continue to drive opportunities for occupational safety work within the greater healthcare market, and more specifically in hospitals and clinics as well as biotech/pharma. I also have seen an increased demand for safety professionals overall, as many aspects of the pandemic have driven home the need for safety in industries that have not typically had a focus in this area. Examples of this include food and beverage, where there have been significant outbreaks during the pandemic, and food service where there is great risk for exposure during eating and drinking activities. Regulatory changes will also continue to increase demand for occupational safety expertise.
Karla Castillo
Full-Time Lecturer, Internship & Professional Development CoordinatorCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills
Division of Health Sciences
What type of skills will young Occupational Health And Safety Specialists need?
Karla Castillo: As graduates in a Health Science program with a concentration in either Health Care Management or Community Health, students will need to have skills in dealing with a pandemic, no matter the health care they will go into. All my students have been able to intern due to the epidemic, whether physically or virtually. They have learned technical skills that wouldn't have commonly been used without the pandemic. One being learning technology software that pertains to meeting almost or creating workshops virtually. Another gift I can think of is time management. My students learned a lot of time management, having now gone through virtual learning for almost an entire academic year. They have balanced working with online education, where many didn't have any experience with online teaching modalities.
How do you envision technology impacting Occupational Health And Safety Specialists in the next 5 years?
Karla Castillo: Technology is moving us today! As of February, when the pandemic started to affect us in academia, we noticed our partners began to go virtual as well. My students have learned a lot about technology in their courses and during the internship. We only know that moving forward, this will continue and become part of health care! One prime example is Telemedicine, where patients can obtain medical services through a virtual call! It's an exciting time with health care and technology playing an important role, and it will continue to grow with the years to come.
Dr. Robert Campbell Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorEastern Virginia Medical School
Master of Public Health
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Occupational Health And Safety Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Robert Campbell Ph.D.: Public health is a general term that includes so many diverse occupations. In the School of Health Professions - Master of Public Health program, traditional public health nonclinical and clinical professionals include epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and research assistants. Nontraditional public health professionals include nurses, medical and health services managers, physicians and surgeons, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, radiologic technologists, pharmacists, and emergency management directors. As a result of the pandemic and the need to perform contact tracing, there is a significant need for case investigators, contact tracers, data managers, and health analytics specialists/managers.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Occupational Health And Safety Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Robert Campbell Ph.D.: Increases in order are expected to select public health careers. MPs are not the sole public health professionals necessary to mitigate the effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics. The capacity of training institutions determines the increase in graduates. Despite the increased need for physicians, physician assistants, and nurses, the demand to train is limited by training clinical facilities, especially for physicians, physician assistants, and nurses.
Reference
Elka Torpey, "Essential work: Employment and outlook in occupations that protect and provide," Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2020.
What type of skills will young Occupational Health And Safety Specialists need?
Pat Munzer: The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) realizes that due to the increased risk of potential exposure to COVID patients, several clinical sites were (and still are) preventing students from working directly with COVID-19 patients and also in the ER or prohibiting students from attending their clinical site entirely - this has adversely affected the student's ability to complete their clinical in a timely fashion and, in some cases, delayed graduation. CoARC recognized that its programs needed to employ different approaches and strategies that may be influenced by individual, institutional policies and procedures, local, state, and federal regulations. CoARC reminded its programs of their responsibility to demonstrate that their blend of in-person, simulation and telehealth clinical experiences adequately prepare students for entry into practice.
What experience really stands out on Occupational Health And Safety Specialist resumes?
Dr. Mark Hardy: Good question with multiple answers. Everyone has a science background. National exams and GPA only tell a small piece about the person. I like to see a well-rounded individual - experiences that have molded their work ethic, customer service skills, work with diverse populations, and that they were part of a team. I am intrigued by applicants who have a lot of coursework in non-science fields.
What Occupational Health And Safety Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mark Hardy: My suggestion to someone considering taking a gap year - do so only if you need the extra time to confirm or define what you want to do or become. And, take after high school, not after obtaining your undergraduate degree.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Occupational Health And Safety Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Mark Hardy: Another good question that changes annually. Currently, I see growth in regenerative medicine. This is a discipline that allows us to harness the body's natural ability to heal itself. We now use platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate, and stem cells for various musculoskeletal conditions. Research continues to evolve, and we are close to treating many musculoskeletal conditions without surgery. This is a space that has enormous potential.
Romayne Eaker-Kelly
Director of Campus Recreation and Health PromotionMontclair State University
Department of Recreation and Health Promotion
How do you envision technology impacting Occupational Health And Safety Specialists in the next 5 years?
Romayne Eaker-Kelly: Faster results are analyzing and time-saving research. The authenticity of information reduced human error. Artificial Intelligence will be a significant game-changer for the legal industry.