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Salary comparison

Biochemists and Biophysicists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?

Biochemists and Biophysicists out-earn Occupational Health and Safety Specialists by $37K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Biochemists and Biophysicists land at $127,410 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists at $90,150. The education gap is real: biochemists and biophysicist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Biochemists and Biophysicists is Florida ($157,390); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Biochemists and Biophysicists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$127,410
$90,150
Hourly rate
$61.26/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$74,290
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$201,110
$134,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
33,830
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
5.8%
12.5%
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Florida
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Biochemists and Biophysicists median pay.

State
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
California
$139,580
$102,840
Connecticut
$132,670
$96,110
Massachusetts
$131,600
$103,970
District of Columbia
$120,090
$111,530
New Hampshire
$109,770
$101,260
Virginia
$105,780
$90,800
New York
$101,080
$95,720
Maryland
$100,650
$91,820
Washington
$98,840
$102,920
Ohio
$90,000
$91,460
Illinois
$87,010
$98,270
Maine
$84,560
$97,640
Minnesota
$81,280
$96,990
Rhode Island
$76,710
$101,740
Nevada
$69,220
$94,360

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Biochemists and Biophysicists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Biochemists and Biophysicists earn more nationally. The median is $127,410 for Biochemists and Biophysicists versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, a difference of $37K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Biochemists and Biophysicists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists has the better 10-year outlook at 12.5% projected growth, compared to 5.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Biochemists and Biophysicists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Biochemists and Biophysicists typically requires bachelor's degree. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Biochemists and Biophysicists get paid the most?

Florida is the top-paying state for Biochemists and Biophysicists at $157,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Biochemists and Biophysicists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Biochemists and Biophysicists earn $139,580 vs. $102,840 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Biochemists and Biophysicists salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Biochemists and Biophysicists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists by take-home payExplore →How to become a biochemists and biophysicistsGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →