Top Safety Certifications That Increase Your Salary (2026)
Which safety certifications pay the most? CSP, CIH, CHST, and OSHA 30 salary data, ROI analysis, and what to earn first for the biggest pay increase
Safety certifications don’t just look good on a resume. They directly increase your paycheck. The data is clear: certified safety professionals earn $18,000 to $30,000 more per year than those without credentials.
But not all certifications are equal. Some have a huge salary premium. Others are just table stakes. And some cost hundreds of dollars while others cost thousands. This guide breaks down which certifications give you the biggest return on investment and which to pursue first.
The Certification Salary Premium
According to the BCSP salary survey, safety professionals holding at least one certification earn a median salary of $105,000. That’s roughly $20,000 more per year than uncertified professionals doing similar work.
Here’s how specific certifications stack up:
| Certification | Median Salary | Premium vs. No Cert | Cost to Earn | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIH | $125,000 | ~$25,000 | $1,500-$3,000 | 1-2 months |
| CSP | $120,000 | ~$20,000-$30,000 | $1,000-$2,500 | 1 month |
| CHMM | $100,000+ | ~$15,000 | $800-$1,500 | 1-2 months |
| CHST | +$9,000 premium | $9,000 | $700-$1,000 | 1-2 months |
| OHST | +$10,000 premium | $10,000 | $700-$1,000 | 1-2 months |
| OSHA 30 | ~$55,000+ | $5,000-$15,000 | $89-$300 | 1-3 weeks |
Data from BCSP 2023 Salary Survey and BLS OEWS.
Every single certification on this list pays for itself within months. Some pay for themselves within weeks. That’s the kind of ROI you rarely see in any profession.
The Big Three: CSP, CIH, and CHMM
These are the professional-level certifications that create the biggest salary jumps.
CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
The CSP is the gold standard in safety. It’s the single most impactful credential you can earn.
The numbers:
- Median salary for CSP holders: $120,000
- Salary premium over uncertified professionals: $20,000-$30,000 per year
- Nearly 70% of CSP holders reported salary increases in the past year
What it costs:
- Application fee: $160
- Exam fee: $350
- Prep courses and materials: $500-$1,500
- Total investment: $1,000-$2,500
What it requires:
- Bachelor’s degree (any field, though safety-related preferred)
- 4+ years of professional safety experience (50%+ of duties must be safety)
- Pass the CSP exam (200 questions, 5.5 hours)
Bottom line: A $2,500 investment that returns $20,000+ per year. That’s an 8x annual return. If you’re eligible, there’s no reason not to pursue it.
For more on the career path: How to Become a Safety Manager
CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist)
The CIH has the highest median salary of any safety certification at $125,000.
The numbers:
- Median salary for CIH holders: $125,000
- Salary premium: roughly $25,000 over uncertified IH professionals
- Strong demand due to a limited supply of active CIH holders (about 7,000 in the U.S.)
What it costs:
- Application fee: $150-$200
- Exam fee: $350-$500
- Prep courses: $500-$1,500
- Total investment: $1,500-$3,000
What it requires:
- Bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene, natural science, or engineering
- 4+ years of professional IH experience (3 with a master’s)
- Pass the CIH exam
Bottom line: Highest-paying safety certification, but it’s specialized. If your work involves exposure assessment, air monitoring, or hazard evaluation, the CIH is worth every penny.
For more: How to Become an Industrial Hygienist
CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager)
The CHMM is valuable if you work in environmental compliance or hazardous materials management.
The numbers:
- Median salary for CHMM holders: $100,000+
- Strong in manufacturing, chemical, and environmental remediation industries
What it costs:
- Application and exam: approximately $800-$1,500
- Prep courses available but not always necessary
What it requires:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Professional experience in hazardous materials management
- Pass the CHMM exam
Bottom line: Good return for EHS specialists and environmental professionals who manage hazardous materials and waste programs.
The Stepping Stones: CHST, OHST, and ASP
These technician and associate-level certifications are more accessible than the Big Three. They don’t require a degree in all cases, and they still deliver meaningful salary increases.
CHST (Construction Health and Safety Technician)
The CHST is the best certification for construction safety professionals who don’t have a four-year degree.
The numbers:
- Salary premium: about $9,000 per year over uncertified construction safety workers
- Strongest impact for safety officers and coordinators on construction sites
What it costs:
- Application fee: $140
- Exam authorization: $265
- Exam fee: $300
- Annual renewal: $105
- Total first-year cost: approximately $705
What it requires:
- No degree required (experience-based pathway available)
- 3+ years of construction safety experience
- Pass the CHST exam (200 questions, 4 hours)
- 60-80 hours of study recommended
Bottom line: A $705 investment that returns $9,000 per year. If you’re working in construction safety without a degree, this is your best next move.
OHST (Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician)
The OHST is the general industry version of the CHST.
The numbers:
- Salary premium: about $10,000 per year
- Best for safety technicians in manufacturing, warehousing, and general industry
What it costs:
- Application fee: $140
- Exam fee: $300
- Total: approximately $440
What it requires:
- 3+ years of safety experience
- Pass the OHST exam (200 questions, 4 hours)
Bottom line: Similar ROI to the CHST but targeted at general industry settings.
ASP (Associate Safety Professional)
The ASP is the official stepping stone to the CSP.
The numbers:
- Entry-level credential, so the salary premium is modest compared to CSP
- Employers view it as a commitment to the profession and a sign you’re building toward CSP
What it costs:
- Application fee: $160
- Exam fee: $350
- Total: approximately $510
What it requires:
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- 1+ year of professional safety experience
- Pass the ASP exam (200 questions, 5 hours)
Bottom line: The ASP doesn’t deliver the same salary jump as the CSP, but it’s the required first step. If you have a degree and at least one year of experience, earn your ASP now.
The Entry Point: OSHA 30
The OSHA 30-Hour card isn’t a professional certification. But it’s often the first credential that moves the needle on your pay.
The numbers:
- Construction workers with OSHA 30 earn roughly $3,500-$5,000 more per year than those with just OSHA 10
- Many employers pay higher rates for OSHA 30 holders
- Required by several states and many general contractors
What it costs:
- Online: $89-$189
- In-person: $150-$300
What it requires:
- Complete 30 hours of training (online or in-person)
- Pass the provider’s assessment
- No prerequisites
Bottom line: The best ROI of any safety credential. A $100-$300 investment that can increase your earnings by thousands per year. If you don’t have your OSHA 30 yet, start here.
For the full comparison: OSHA 10 vs. OSHA 30: Which Do You Need?
What to Get First
Your next certification depends on where you are in your career:
Just starting in construction?
- OSHA 10 Construction (immediate)
- OSHA 30 Construction (within first year)
- CHST (after 3 years of experience)
Have a degree and starting in safety?
- OSHA 30 (immediate)
- ASP (after 1 year of experience)
- CSP (after 4 years of experience)
Working in EHS or industrial hygiene?
- OSHA 30 General Industry
- HAZWOPER 40 (if applicable)
- ASP or CIH (depending on your focus)
Experienced professional without certifications?
- Go straight for the CSP or CIH if you’re eligible
- The salary premium is significant and immediate
The Compounding Effect
Here’s what most people miss: certifications compound. A safety professional with both a CSP and CIH earns more than someone with just one. Adding a CHST or CHMM on top of a CSP pushes your value even higher.
The BCSP data shows that professionals with multiple certifications consistently earn more than those with a single credential. Each certification signals deeper expertise and commitment to the profession.
Don’t stop at one. Map out your certification path and keep building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which safety certification pays the most? The CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) has the highest median salary at $125,000. The CSP (Certified Safety Professional) is close behind at $120,000 and is more widely applicable across industries.
Is the CSP worth the money? Absolutely. The total investment is $1,000-$2,500. The annual salary premium is $20,000-$30,000. It pays for itself in the first month. Beyond salary, the CSP opens doors to management positions like Safety Manager and Construction Safety Director that would otherwise be out of reach.
Can I get a raise just by getting certified? Sometimes. Some employers have formal pay scales that increase with certifications. Others won’t give you a raise for the same role. But certifications make you competitive for higher-paying positions. The salary premium often comes when you use the credential to move up or move to a new employer.
Do OSHA cards really increase pay? Yes, especially in construction. The OSHA 30 card is often required for safety-related roles and higher-paying positions on union and commercial projects. In states that mandate OSHA 10 or 30, having the card is a prerequisite for working at all.
What’s the fastest way to increase my safety salary? Get the highest-level certification you’re currently eligible for. If you qualify for the CSP, don’t waste time on lower-level certs first. If you’re in construction without a degree, the CHST delivers a quick $9,000 premium. And if you’re just getting started, the OSHA 30 has the fastest payback of any safety credential.
Check your state for additional salary context: Safety Professional Salaries by State