Pennsylvania Workplace Safety Requirements (2026)
Pennsylvania OSHA requirements, Philadelphia safety mandates, certifications, and salary data for PA workers. Federal OSHA and city-specific rules
Pennsylvania operates under Federal OSHA for private sector workers. There’s no state OSHA plan. However, the City of Philadelphia has its own construction safety training requirements that make it one of the stricter local jurisdictions in the country.
Philadelphia’s OSHA 30 Requirement
Philadelphia stands out nationally for requiring OSHA training:
- Philadelphia Bill No. 210601 requires workers and supervisors on certain construction projects to complete OSHA safety training
- Supervisors on covered projects need OSHA 30 Construction
- Workers need OSHA 10 Construction
- The requirement applies to projects that require a building permit for construction, alteration, or demolition
This makes Philadelphia one of the few cities (alongside NYC) with an OSHA card mandate. If you work Philadelphia construction, you need the cards.
Key Industries
Construction Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley have significant construction markets. Healthcare facility construction, data centers, and infrastructure projects (bridges, highways) are major drivers. Strong union presence in Philadelphia construction.
Manufacturing Steel (historically Pittsburgh), food processing, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Pennsylvania is home to major pharma companies creating EHS demand.
Healthcare Philadelphia has one of the largest concentrations of hospitals and medical schools in the country. University of Pennsylvania Health System, Jefferson Health, and Temple Health employ safety professionals.
Energy Natural gas (Marcellus Shale) in western and northeastern Pennsylvania. Oil refining in Philadelphia (though Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery closed). Nuclear power plants. Growing renewable energy.
Logistics Major distribution centers across the I-78, I-81, and I-76 corridors. Lehigh Valley is one of the fastest-growing warehouse markets in the country.
Safety Professional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-level | $50,000 - $60,000 |
| Mid-career | $60,000 - $80,000 |
| Experienced | $80,000 - $100,000 |
| Senior / Director | $100,000 - $135,000+ |
Mean annual salary: $80,000-$85,000 (BLS OEWS, SOC 29-9011).
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas pay the highest. Central Pennsylvania runs lower. Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax (one of the lowest), plus local earned income taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania require OSHA 10 or OSHA 30? Statewide, no. But Philadelphia requires OSHA 10 for workers and OSHA 30 for supervisors on covered construction projects. Most large general contractors across the state require them regardless.
Does Pennsylvania have a state OSHA program? No. Pennsylvania operates under Federal OSHA for all private sector workers. State and local government workers are not covered by federal OSHA and Pennsylvania does not have a state plan covering them.