Occupational Health Provider Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
A large number of colleges and universities in the US offers associates, bachelors and masters degrees as well as certificate programs for occupational health providers. Those wishing to pursue the profession can take up degree courses in occupational health and safety, health physics, industrial hygiene, or other related fields. These programs provide both classroom and on-the-job training. One can also opt for basic courses in engineering, chemistry, or biology.
Training and Education
Employees are generally expected to have a bachelor's degree. About 72% of occupational health providers hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 18% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 9% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma.
Job Overview
Occupational health providers are responsible for delivering proper healthcare services in a systematic and professional manner. They administer healthcare services to people in the workplace, helping to control, prevent, or eliminate work-related health hazards. Occupational health providers may be involved in making the equipment more ergonomic, advising management on the cost and effectiveness of health programs, and providing training on the policies and regulations, and ways of recognizing health hazards.
Job Requirements
Employers generally prefer candidates with at least a bachelors degree in the field, while some positions demand a masters degree. Certifications can also come in handy when it comes to securing employment. Occupational health providers can opt for certifications like the Certified Safety Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Occupational Health and Safety Technologists, Construction Health and Safety Technicians, Safety Trained Supervisors, Certified Indoor Environmentalist, Certified Professional Ergonomist, Certified Ergonomics Associate, or Certified Health Physicist. These certifications are awarded by different associations, and to obtain certification, one has to pass an examination and have specific degrees and experience. Continuing education is necessary to maintain the certification.
Occupational health providers with the requisite education, experience, and knowledge of various business functions, can rapidly advance to senior supervisory positions. It is also necessary to attend conferences and continue education in order to be well versed with the latest developments in the field. In this respect, joining a professional organization can prove to be a great help. Those wishing to take up teaching or research should opt for advanced degrees in the field.
Apart from possessing the educational qualifications, occupational health providers should be detail-oriented and responsible. Communication skills are also extremely important. Background knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and English can prove helpful.
Nature of Work
Occupational health providers focus on preventing health risks to employees. They might have to design safe work places, test air quality, or inspect machines. They are employed to help increase worker productivity by reducing absenteeism, and also save money by lowering government fines, compensation claims, and insurance premiums. Occupational health providers detect the physical, biological, chemical, and radiological hazards, evaluate the possibility and severity of accidents, and devise ways to eliminate risks.
Occupational health providers may be employed in offices, factories, and even mines. As a result, their job may involve significant fieldwork and frequent travel. Those employed in industries may be exposed to stressful or dangerous conditions. Also, the work hours of occupational health providers are often extended as well as irregular.
Area Job Conditions
Occupational health providers are relatively common in Kennewick (Washington), Trenton (New Jersey), and Beaumont (Texas). They are rarer in Fort Lauderdale (Florida), Chicago (Illinois), and West Palm Beach (Florida).
Workers are paid highest in Knoxville (Tennessee), San Francisco (California), and Salinas (California), and lowest in McAllen (Texas), Beaumont (Texas), and Lewiston (Idaho).
Part-Time and Self Employment
About 8% of occupational health providers work less than full-time. In 2% of the cases, workers work for themselves.
Career Videos
Occupational Health Providers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $69,000 | 240 | +27% |
| Huntsville | $73,000 | 80 | +3% |
| Mobile | $67,000 | 110 | +68% |
| Montgomery | $61,000 | 30 | -50% |
| Tuscaloosa | $62,000 | 40 | +24% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $69,000 | 110 | +77% |
| Fairbanks | $65,000 | 30 | +188% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $63,000 | 400 | -42% |
| Tucson | $70,000 | 140 | +7% |
| Yuma | $54,000 | 40 | +111% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $65,000 | 90 | +18% |
| Fort Smith | $62,000 | 40 | -11% |
| Little Rock | $59,000 | 180 | +36% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $73,000 | 240 | +144% |
| Los Angeles | $69,000 | 1,270 | -19% |
| Oakland | $80,000 | 370 | -4% |
| Oxnard | $79,000 | 90 | -20% |
| Riverside | $69,000 | 430 | -8% |
| Sacramento | $83,000 | 770 | +129% |
| Salinas | $83,000 | 30 | -49% |
| San Diego | $77,000 | 540 | +6% |
| San Francisco | $84,000 | 330 | -14% |
| San Jose | $84,000 | 180 | -48% |
| Santa Ana | $77,000 | 320 | -43% |
| Santa Barbara | $78,000 | 110 | +77% |
| Stockton | $69,000 | 40 | -49% |
| Vallejo | $81,000 | 70 | +60% |
| Visalia | $71,000 | 50 | +1% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $81,000 | 70 | +24% |
| Colorado Springs | $69,000 | 80 | -16% |
| Denver | $77,000 | 500 | +3% |
| Fort Collins | $69,000 | 50 | +9% |
| Greeley | $64,000 | 40 | +57% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $72,000 | 90 | -45% |
| Hartford | $67,000 | 240 | +8% |
| New Haven | $70,000 | 120 | +16% |
| Norwich | $74,000 | 60 | +34% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $46,000 | 70 | +301% |
| Wilmington | $67,000 | 370 | +198% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $81,000 | 970 | +3% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $58,000 | 180 | -33% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $69,000 | 40 | +49% |
| Gainesville | $58,000 | 70 | +58% |
| Jacksonville | $66,000 | 220 | -5% |
| Lakeland | $60,000 | 90 | +28% |
| Miami | $63,000 | 190 | -50% |
| Orlando | $67,000 | 190 | -52% |
| Palm Bay | $72,000 | 110 | +49% |
| Pensacola | $68,000 | 50 | -9% |
| Sarasota | $54,000 | 40 | -57% |
| Tallahassee | $55,000 | 50 | -16% |
| Tampa | $62,000 | 230 | -48% |
| West Palm Beach | $67,000 | 70 | -65% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $67,000 | 490 | -45% |
| Augusta | $71,000 | 110 | +43% |
| Columbus | $61,000 | 30 | -25% |
| Savannah | $72,000 | 50 | -9% |
| Warner Robins | $74,000 | 50 | +174% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $69,000 | 270 | +60% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $64,000 | 110 | +11% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $71,000 | 590 | -60% |
| Peoria | $66,000 | 40 | -37% |
| Springfield | $80,000 | 30 | -23% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $58,000 | 170 | +167% |
| Fort Wayne | $55,000 | 60 | -22% |
| Gary | $62,000 | 160 | +57% |
| Indianapolis | $58,000 | 480 | +38% |
| Lafayette | $52,000 | 40 | +51% |
| South Bend | $65,000 | 30 | -37% |
| Terre Haute | $56,000 | 40 | +68% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $60,000 | 40 | -22% |
| Davenport | $63,000 | 40 | -43% |
| Des Moines | $60,000 | 100 | -20% |
| Sioux City | $58,000 | 50 | +96% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $52,000 | 90 | +125% |
| Wichita | $57,000 | 160 | +46% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $60,000 | 70 | -23% |
| Louisville | $57,000 | 220 | -6% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $69,000 | 220 | +54% |
| Lafayette | $64,000 | 70 | +33% |
| Lake Charles | $68,000 | 60 | +91% |
| New Orleans | $63,000 | 230 | +13% |
| Shreveport | $67,000 | 60 | -10% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $69,000 | 90 | +20% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $74,000 | 570 | +12% |
| Bethesda | $82,000 | 170 | -24% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $75,000 | 620 | -8% |
| Framingham | $94,000 | 70 | +15% |
| Lawrence | $76,000 | 40 | +95% |
| Lowell | $71,000 | 40 | -9% |
| Springfield | $68,000 | 160 | +41% |
| Taunton | $39,000 | 30 | +100% |
| Worcester | $61,000 | 60 | -37% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $59,000 | 90 | +45% |
| Detroit | $59,000 | 200 | -23% |
| Grand Rapids | $65,000 | 60 | -59% |
| Jackson | 40 | +143% | |
| Lansing | $68,000 | 60 | -19% |
| Warren | $59,000 | 390 | -7% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $65,000 | 120 | +152% |
| Minneapolis | $67,000 | 800 | +15% |
| Rochester | $69,000 | 50 | +35% |
| St Cloud | $62,000 | 40 | +16% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $62,000 | 90 | -6% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $63,000 | 40 | +41% |
| Jefferson City | $56,000 | 60 | +130% |
| Joplin | $59,000 | 40 | +43% |
| Kansas City | $70,000 | 470 | +19% |
| Springfield | $43,000 | 70 | -2% |
| St Louis | $64,000 | 470 | -10% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $67,000 | 50 | +67% |
| Missoula | $56,000 | 40 | +124% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $49,000 | 70 | +18% |
| Omaha | $63,000 | 160 | -12% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $68,000 | 300 | -9% |
| Reno | $64,000 | 100 | +40% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $68,000 | 40 | +7% |
| Nashua | $75,000 | 30 | -41% |
| Portsmouth | $75,000 | 30 | +52% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $63,000 | 40 | -25% |
| Camden | $70,000 | 170 | -16% |
| Edison | $71,000 | 400 | +0% |
| Newark | $73,000 | 470 | +21% |
| Trenton | $75,000 | 500 | +483% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $69,000 | 320 | +116% |
| Farmington | $64,000 | 40 | +139% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $65,000 | 290 | +67% |
| Binghamton | $57,000 | 50 | +22% |
| Buffalo | $61,000 | 240 | +12% |
| Nassau | $66,000 | 410 | -17% |
| New York | $64,000 | 1,370 | -32% |
| Poughkeepsie | $70,000 | 80 | -14% |
| Rochester | $58,000 | 190 | -3% |
| Syracuse | $66,000 | 150 | +26% |
| Utica | $59,000 | 70 | +53% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $56,000 | 50 | -24% |
| Charlotte | $65,000 | 300 | -10% |
| Durham | $62,000 | 110 | +5% |
| Fayetteville | $66,000 | 90 | +94% |
| Greensboro | $66,000 | 80 | -41% |
| Raleigh | $60,000 | 220 | +10% |
| Wilmington | $64,000 | 80 | +59% |
| Winston Salem | $52,000 | 80 | +1% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $58,000 | 50 | +120% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $66,000 | 150 | +22% |
| Canton | $69,000 | 120 | +94% |
| Cincinnati | $71,000 | 420 | +7% |
| Cleveland | $69,000 | 410 | +3% |
| Columbus | $71,000 | 500 | +40% |
| Dayton | $69,000 | 200 | +36% |
| Lima | $75,000 | 30 | +69% |
| Toledo | $65,000 | 200 | +78% |
| Youngstown | $60,000 | 80 | -6% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $47,000 | 460 | +106% |
| Tulsa | $54,000 | 220 | +33% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $61,000 | 70 | +35% |
| Medford | $61,000 | 40 | +46% |
| Portland | $57,000 | 550 | +39% |
| Salem | $59,000 | 140 | +154% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $72,000 | 130 | -2% |
| Altoona | $61,000 | 30 | +43% |
| Erie | $55,000 | 30 | -36% |
| Harrisburg | $48,000 | 420 | +243% |
| Johnstown | $62,000 | 50 | +160% |
| Lancaster | $56,000 | 50 | -44% |
| Philadelphia | $68,000 | 560 | -25% |
| Pittsburgh | $63,000 | 520 | +17% |
| Reading | $64,000 | 40 | -36% |
| Scranton | $59,000 | 80 | -19% |
| Williamsport | $51,000 | 40 | +128% |
| York | $59,000 | 50 | -24% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $76,000 | 110 | -49% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $76,000 | 60 | -45% |
| Columbia | $59,000 | 140 | +4% |
| Greenville | $55,000 | 50 | -56% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $58,000 | 50 | -3% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $57,000 | 80 | -7% |
| Clarksville | $58,000 | 70 | +153% |
| Kingsport | $53,000 | 60 | +35% |
| Knoxville | $84,000 | 180 | +41% |
| Memphis | $57,000 | 200 | -16% |
| Nashville | $59,000 | 200 | -30% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $61,000 | 30 | +37% |
| Amarillo | $76,000 | 60 | +55% |
| Austin | $71,000 | 330 | +8% |
| Beaumont | $67,000 | 300 | +401% |
| Brownsville | $37,000 | 60 | +26% |
| College Station | $54,000 | 70 | +112% |
| Corpus Christi | $56,000 | 180 | +170% |
| Dallas | $64,000 | 880 | +8% |
| El Paso | $52,000 | 130 | +26% |
| Fort Worth | $59,000 | 320 | -5% |
| Houston | $67,000 | 2,360 | +130% |
| Killeen | $63,000 | 80 | +70% |
| Longview | $55,000 | 90 | +162% |
| Lubbock | $55,000 | 30 | -35% |
| Mcallen | $48,000 | 50 | -42% |
| Midland | $58,000 | 70 | +221% |
| Odessa | $55,000 | 40 | +106% |
| San Antonio | $63,000 | 440 | +30% |
| Tyler | $56,000 | 30 | -7% |
| Victoria | $74,000 | 60 | +271% |
| Waco | $56,000 | 40 | +11% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $67,000 | 110 | +47% |
| Provo | $63,000 | 30 | -53% |
| Salt Lake City | $59,000 | 270 | +15% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $61,000 | 30 | -26% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $49,000 | 40 | +90% |
| Charlottesville | $58,000 | 60 | +95% |
| Harrisonburg | $54,000 | 40 | +108% |
| Lynchburg | $53,000 | 50 | +40% |
| Richmond | $57,000 | 400 | +68% |
| Roanoke | $58,000 | 90 | +56% |
| Virginia Beach | $64,000 | 630 | +114% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $60,000 | 50 | +93% |
| Bremerton | $86,000 | 100 | +239% |
| Kennewick | $77,000 | 570 | +1480% |
| Olympia | $65,000 | 100 | +181% |
| Seattle | $73,000 | 720 | +32% |
| Spokane | $61,000 | 80 | +4% |
| Tacoma | $71,000 | 220 | +119% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $65,000 | 80 | +49% |
| Huntington | $58,000 | 60 | +45% |
| Morgantown | $69,000 | 90 | +396% |
| Parkersburg | $58,000 | 30 | +26% |
| Wheeling | $61,000 | 40 | +77% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $70,000 | 40 | -4% |
| Green Bay | $61,000 | 60 | -4% |
| Madison | $62,000 | 120 | -7% |
| Milwaukee | $66,000 | 190 | -41% |
| Oshkosh | $55,000 | 40 | +28% |
| Sheboygan | $63,000 | 40 | +109% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $59,000 | 50 | +320% |
| Cheyenne | $55,000 | 40 | +183% |