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Salary comparison

Biological Technicians vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss out-earn Biological Technicianss by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Biological Technicianss land at $57,510 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss at $90,150. The education gap is real: biological technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Biological Technicianss is California ($71,440); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Biological Technicians
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$57,510
$90,150
Hourly rate
$27.65/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$40,330
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$84,940
$134,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
69,620
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
California
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Biological Technicians median pay.

State
Biological Technicians
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
California
$71,440
$102,840
District of Columbia
$64,770
$111,530
Connecticut
$62,360
$96,110
Massachusetts
$62,070
$103,970
New York
$61,210
$95,720
Washington
$60,800
$102,920
Maine
$60,160
$97,640
Colorado
$59,400
$101,400
Alaska
$56,470
$99,270
Illinois
$55,790
$98,270
New Hampshire
$55,540
$101,260
Oregon
$52,190
$95,240
Hawaii
$48,770
$94,840
Minnesota
$48,130
$96,990
Rhode Island
$45,530
$101,740

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Biological Technicianss or Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $57,510 for Biological Technicianss versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Biological Technicians or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Biological Technicians or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Biological Technicians 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 Biological Technicianss get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Biological Technicianss at $71,440/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Biological Technicians vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Biological Technicianss earn $71,440 vs. $102,840 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Biological Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Biological Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a biological techniciansGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →