Occupational health and safety technicians
SOC Code: 19-5012
Occupational health and safety technicians carries a 48% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $58,440 and +8.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 31,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Occupational health and safety technicians (SOC 19-5012) carries an AI exposure score of 48%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 31,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +8.5% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $58,440, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Occupational health and safety technicians. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danger or potential harm exists.
- 2. Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
- 3. Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices or maintenance of proper ventilation during wind turbine construction.
- 4. Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
- 5. Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
- 6. Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.
- 7. Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order.
- 8. Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.
- 9. Recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.
- 10. Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
Knowledge Areas
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Mechanical
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Occupational health and safety technicians?
Occupational health and safety technicians has an AI exposure score of 48%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Occupational health and safety technicians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Occupational health and safety technicians is projected to grow by 8.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 31,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Occupational health and safety technicians?
Key skills for Occupational health and safety technicians include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Occupational health and safety technicians earn?
The median annual wage for Occupational health and safety technicians is $58,440, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Occupational health and safety technicians?
The typical entry-level education for Occupational health and safety technicians is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Occupational health and safety technicians?
Occupational health and safety technicians roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).