Safety Professional Salary by State: Complete 2026 Guide
Safety specialist salaries in all 50 states. BLS wage data, top-paying metro areas, and where safety professionals earn the most after cost of living
Where you work matters almost as much as what certifications you hold. Safety professionals in the highest-paying states earn over $95,000 per year. In the lowest-paying states, the median is closer to $60,000. That’s a $35,000 gap for the same job.
This guide breaks down occupational health and safety specialist salaries (BLS SOC 29-9011) across all 50 states, identifies the best-paying metro areas, and factors in cost of living so you can see where your dollar goes furthest.
National median salary (May 2024): $83,910
Top 10 Highest-Paying States
These states pay safety professionals the most in raw salary:
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Salary | vs. National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $95,960 | +14% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $94,450 | +13% |
| 3 | California | $94,100 | +12% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $92,840 | +11% |
| 5 | Alaska | $92,350 | +10% |
| 6 | Connecticut | $91,170 | +9% |
| 7 | Hawaii | $89,160 | +6% |
| 8 | Minnesota | $87,300 | +4% |
| 9 | Colorado | $87,040 | +4% |
| 10 | Maryland | $86,500 | +3% |
Data from BLS OEWS, SOC 29-9011. Mean annual wages.
Two patterns stand out. First, Northeast states dominate the top 10. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maryland are all in the top tier. Second, high cost-of-living states rank high in raw salary, but that doesn’t always mean more buying power.
Highest-Paying Metro Areas
If you’re willing to target a specific city, the salary differences get even bigger:
| Metro Area | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $113,820 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD | $107,700 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $103,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,000+ |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $98,000+ |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $95,000+ |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $92,000+ |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $90,000+ |
Approximate figures from BLS OEWS metro area data.
The LA metro area leads the nation at $113,820. That’s 35% above the national median. But remember that California’s cost of living, especially in LA, eats into that premium significantly.
Where Your Dollar Goes Furthest
Raw salary doesn’t tell the whole story. A $90,000 salary in San Francisco buys less than $75,000 in Houston. Here’s a look at states where safety professionals get the best value after adjusting for cost of living:
Best value states (strong salary + lower COL):
| State | Mean Salary | COL Relative to National | Adjusted Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $85,000+ | Below average | High |
| Colorado | $87,040 | Average | High |
| Minnesota | $87,300 | Average | High |
| Ohio | $77,000+ | Below average | Good |
| Georgia | $78,000+ | Below average | Good |
| North Carolina | $76,000+ | Below average | Good |
| Tennessee | $72,000+ | Well below average | Good |
| Indiana | $74,000+ | Well below average | Good |
Texas stands out as the best overall value for safety professionals. The state has strong salaries driven by oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing. The cost of living is well below California or the Northeast. And Texas has no state income tax, which effectively gives you another 5-10% boost in take-home pay.
Colorado is another strong value play. Denver-area salaries exceed $103,000, and while Denver’s cost of living has risen, it’s still below San Francisco or New York.
States With the Most Safety Jobs
High salary matters, but so does job availability. Here are the states with the highest employment of safety specialists:
| State | Total Employment | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Highest | Oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, petrochemical |
| California | Very high | Construction, tech, agriculture, manufacturing |
| Ohio | High | Manufacturing, automotive, chemical |
| Pennsylvania | High | Manufacturing, construction, healthcare |
| Illinois | High | Manufacturing, logistics, construction |
| Florida | High | Construction, hospitality, healthcare |
| Washington | Moderate-high | Aerospace, tech, construction, maritime |
| Michigan | Moderate-high | Automotive, manufacturing |
Texas and California consistently lead in both employment and salary. If you’re relocating for a safety career, these two states offer the most opportunities. Texas edges out California on cost of living and take-home pay.
State OSHA Plans and Salary
Twenty-two states operate their own OSHA-approved state plans. These states set their own standards (which must be at least as strict as federal OSHA) and run their own enforcement programs.
Do state plan states pay more? Not necessarily. But state plans create additional compliance complexity, which can increase demand for knowledgeable safety professionals.
State plan states with above-average safety salaries:
- California ($94,100)
- Washington ($90,000+)
- Minnesota ($87,300)
- Oregon ($82,000+)
- Nevada ($80,000+)
State plan states with below-average salaries:
- Tennessee ($72,000+)
- South Carolina ($70,000+)
- Kentucky ($68,000+)
- Arizona ($73,000+)
The salary variation has more to do with each state’s dominant industries and cost of living than whether they run a state plan. But working in a state plan state does mean you need to know state-specific regulations on top of federal OSHA standards.
For more on state OSHA plans: State Safety Requirements
Industry Matters More Than Geography
While state-level data is useful for planning, your industry often has a bigger impact on salary than your location.
Top-paying industries nationally:
- Oil and gas extraction. $95,000-$130,000+
- Pipeline transportation. $90,000-$110,000
- Mining. $85,000-$105,000
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing. $85,000-$115,000
- Chemical manufacturing. $82,000-$100,000
A safety professional working in oil and gas in Texas will earn significantly more than one working in retail in Rhode Island, even though Rhode Island has a higher state average.
The sweet spot is a high-paying industry in a reasonable cost-of-living state. Oil and gas in Texas. Manufacturing in Ohio. Aerospace in Colorado. These combinations maximize both salary and buying power.
Salary by Career Level
State averages include all experience levels. Here’s how salary typically breaks down by career stage, with state variation noted:
| Career Level | Low-COL State | Mid-COL State | High-COL State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (0-2 yrs) | $45,000-$52,000 | $50,000-$60,000 | $58,000-$68,000 |
| Mid-career (2-5 yrs) | $55,000-$70,000 | $65,000-$80,000 | $75,000-$95,000 |
| Experienced (5-10 yrs) | $70,000-$85,000 | $80,000-$100,000 | $95,000-$115,000 |
| Senior/Mgmt (10+ yrs) | $85,000-$105,000 | $100,000-$130,000 | $115,000-$160,000+ |
Experience and certifications compound with location. A CSP holder with 10 years of experience in Houston might earn $140,000. The same professional in rural Alabama might earn $95,000. Both are good salaries, but the gap is real.
How to Maximize Your Safety Salary
Based on the data, here are the highest-impact moves:
1. Get certified. A CSP adds $20,000-$30,000 per year regardless of location. That’s the single biggest salary lever you control. See: Top Safety Certifications That Increase Your Salary
2. Target the right industry. Oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, and mining consistently pay the most. Construction pays well in major metro areas.
3. Consider relocation strategically. Texas offers the best overall combination of salary, job availability, low cost of living, and no state income tax. Colorado and Washington are also strong.
4. Don’t ignore mid-tier states. Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina have growing manufacturing and logistics sectors with solid safety salaries and very affordable living costs.
5. Negotiate using data. Know your state’s average and your industry’s average. Use BLS OEWS data and the BCSP salary calculator to benchmark your compensation. Bring specific numbers to salary negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state pays safety professionals the most? Rhode Island has the highest mean annual salary for safety specialists at $95,960. California ($94,100) and the District of Columbia ($94,450) are close behind. But after adjusting for cost of living, Texas and Colorado offer better real value.
How much do safety managers make in Texas? Safety managers in Texas earn a median of $95,000-$115,000. In the Houston metro area (heavy oil and gas presence), experienced safety managers with a CSP earn $120,000-$150,000+. Texas has no state income tax, which further increases take-home pay.
Is it worth relocating for a safety job? It depends on your situation. If you’re in a low-paying state and willing to move, relocating to Texas, Colorado, or the Southeast can significantly increase your salary and career opportunities. But factor in moving costs, family considerations, and the specific job market in your target area.
Do state OSHA plan states pay more? Not consistently. Some state plan states (California, Washington, Minnesota) pay above average. Others (Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina) pay below. The salary is driven more by industry mix and cost of living than by whether the state has its own OSHA plan.
Where can I find the latest salary data? The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program publishes state and metro area salary data annually. The most recent data is from May 2024. You can look up SOC code 29-9011 at bls.gov/oes. The BCSP also publishes a salary calculator at bcsp.org.
What’s the lowest-paying state for safety professionals? States in the Southeast and South Central regions tend to have the lowest safety salaries. Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas typically fall at the bottom. However, the cost of living in these states is also significantly lower, which partially offsets the salary gap.