How to Become an Industrial Hygienist: Career Guide (2026)

Industrial hygienists are the scientists of the safety world. They measure what you can’t see. Air contaminants, noise levels, radiation exposure, chemical vapors. They figure out what workers are breathing, touching, and absorbing, then determine whether it’s safe.

It’s a specialized role that requires a degree, but it pays well. The median salary for industrial hygienists is around $85,000. Those with a CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) credential regularly earn $100,000 or more. And demand is growing as OSHA tightens standards on silica, PFAS, and other emerging hazards.

Here’s what the career looks like.

Salary Snapshot

Median salary: $85,000 per year (based on BLS data and AIHA salary surveys).

CIH premium: Industrial hygienists holding the CIH earn roughly $15,000-$25,000 more per year than those without it.

Top-paying industries:

1. Oil and gas. $95,000 - $130,000+
2. Pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing. $90,000 - $120,000
3. Federal government (OSHA, NIOSH, DOD, DOE). $85,000 - $115,000
4. Consulting firms. $80,000 - $110,000
5. Mining. $80,000 - $105,000

Salary data from BLS OEWS and AIHA salary surveys.

What Does an Industrial Hygienist Do?

Industrial hygienists focus on the health side of “health and safety.” While safety officers focus on physical hazards like falls and machine guarding, industrial hygienists focus on exposures that cause disease.

Exposure assessment:

• Collect air samples for chemicals, dust, fibers, and biological agents
• Measure noise levels using sound level meters and dosimeters
• Assess heat stress conditions using wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitoring
• Evaluate radiation exposure (ionizing and non-ionizing)
• Test for lead, asbestos, silica, mold, and other contaminants
• Analyze sampling results and compare to OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)

Program management:

• Design and manage respiratory protection programs (29 CFR 1910.134)
• Develop hearing conservation programs (29 CFR 1910.95)
• Write exposure control plans for bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, and biological hazards
• Conduct exposure risk assessments for new chemicals and processes
• Select appropriate PPE based on exposure data
• Manage medical surveillance programs (audiometric testing, pulmonary function, blood lead levels)

Regulatory work:

• Interpret OSHA health standards and maintain compliance
• Prepare for and respond to OSHA health inspections
• Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and maintain chemical inventories
• Stay current with emerging hazards (PFAS, engineered nanomaterials, heat illness)
• Provide expert testimony in workers’ compensation and litigation cases

The work is technical. You’ll use calibrated sampling equipment, run calculations, interpret lab results, and write detailed reports. If you like science and problem-solving, this role is a good fit.

How to Become an Industrial Hygienist

This career requires a degree. Here’s the path.

Step 1: Get a Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum. The best-fit programs include:

• Industrial Hygiene The most direct path. Some universities offer accredited programs through ABET.
• Occupational Health and Safety Broader than IH but covers the core topics.
• Environmental Health / Environmental Science Good foundation with coursework in chemistry and exposure assessment.
• Chemistry or Biology Provides the science background. You’ll need to supplement with IH-specific training.
• Engineering Chemical, environmental, or industrial engineering degrees work well.

Key coursework: organic chemistry, physics, biology, statistics, toxicology, and exposure assessment methods.

A master’s degree in industrial hygiene or occupational health is increasingly common. Many senior IH positions prefer or require a graduate degree. Programs accredited by ABET or listed by AIHA are the strongest options.

Step 2: Gain Entry-Level Experience

Your first role will likely be an industrial hygiene technician or assistant. You’ll:

• Collect air and noise samples under the direction of a senior IH
• Calibrate and maintain sampling equipment
• Assist with workplace surveys and inspections
• Learn to interpret lab results and write reports

Look for positions at:

• Environmental consulting firms
• Large manufacturing companies
• Government agencies (OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, military)
• Insurance companies
• Hospitals and healthcare systems

Step 3: Earn Your CIH

The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is the gold standard credential for this career. It’s issued by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).

CIH requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene, natural science, engineering, or related field (a master’s in IH provides more flexibility)
• Minimum of 4 years of professional IH experience (or 3 years with a master’s)
• At least 50% of your work must involve IH practice (exposure assessment, control recommendations)
• Pass the CIH exam

The CIH exam covers:

• Air sampling and instrumentation
• Analytical chemistry
• Biohazards
• Biostatistics and epidemiology
• Engineering controls and ventilation
• Ergonomics
• Health risk analysis
• Noise and radiation
• Toxicology
• Work environments and industrial processes

It’s a rigorous exam. Many candidates study for 3-6 months. The ABIH offers study guides and practice exams. The AIHA also runs review courses.

Step 4: Maintain Your CIH

The CIH requires ongoing certification maintenance:

• Complete continuing education points every 5-year cycle
• Pay annual maintenance fees
• Adhere to the ABIH code of ethics

Step 5: Advance Your Career

With a CIH and 5+ years of experience, career options expand:

• Senior Industrial Hygienist Lead complex exposure assessments, manage IH programs
• Corporate IH Director Oversee industrial hygiene across multiple facilities
• Consulting Practice Leader Run an IH consulting practice
• Government Senior Scientist Work at OSHA, NIOSH, or EPA in policy and research
• Expert Witness Provide testimony in occupational disease litigation

Some industrial hygienists transition into broader safety manager or EHS specialist roles, where their technical expertise is highly valued.

Industrial Hygienist vs. Safety Professional

These roles overlap but have different focuses:

Many organizations combine both functions into EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) departments. Having both IH and safety knowledge makes you more versatile.

Job Outlook

Industrial hygiene is a specialized field with strong demand. The BLS projects 6-8% growth for occupational health and safety specialists through 2033.

Demand for IH professionals is driven by:

• Emerging contaminants PFAS, engineered nanomaterials, and other emerging hazards require exposure assessment expertise.
• Updated OSHA standards Tighter silica and beryllium standards have increased demand for sampling and compliance.
• Heat illness prevention OSHA’s proposed heat standard will require monitoring and exposure assessment.
• Aging workforce Many experienced CIHs are retiring, creating openings for qualified replacements.

The CIH shortage is real. There are roughly 7,000 active CIH holders in the United States. Demand consistently exceeds supply, especially in consulting, government, and manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a master’s degree to be an industrial hygienist? Not strictly, but it helps. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum for entry-level IH positions and CIH eligibility. A master’s degree in industrial hygiene shortens the CIH experience requirement and is preferred (or required) for many senior and government positions. If you’re serious about the career, a master’s degree is worth the investment.

How long does it take to get the CIH? From starting your degree: about 8-10 years. That’s 4 years for a bachelor’s (or 6 with a master’s), plus 4 years of qualifying experience (3 with a master’s). You can sit for the CIH exam once you meet the requirements.

What’s the difference between CIH and CSP? The CIH focuses on occupational health and exposure assessment. The CSP focuses on workplace safety and injury prevention. They’re issued by different boards (ABIH vs. BCSP). Some professionals hold both. If your work involves chemical, biological, or physical exposure measurement, go CIH. If your work is broader safety management, go CSP.

Can I work as an industrial hygienist without the CIH? Yes. Many industrial hygienists work for years before earning their CIH. You can hold the title and perform IH work with a degree and experience alone. But the CIH significantly increases your earning potential and credibility. Most senior positions require or prefer it.

What industries have the highest demand for industrial hygienists? Consulting firms are the largest employers of CIHs. They provide IH services to clients across many industries. Manufacturing (chemical, pharmaceutical, automotive), government agencies, oil and gas, and healthcare also have strong demand. Environmental remediation companies often need IH professionals for site assessments.