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Salary comparison

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

Chemistss out-earn Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss by $1K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Chemistss land at $91,240 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss at $90,150. The education gap is real: chemist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Chemistss is District of Columbia ($149,860); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Chemists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$91,240
$90,150
Hourly rate
$43.87/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$58,460
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$160,830
$134,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
82,770
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
Chemists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
District of Columbia
$149,860
$111,530
Massachusetts
$125,000
$103,970
Alaska
$106,010
$99,270
Oregon
$104,590
$95,240
Colorado
$101,980
$101,400
Rhode Island
$101,660
$101,740
New Hampshire
$100,050
$101,260
Minnesota
$99,280
$96,990
Connecticut
$98,140
$96,110
California
$97,860
$102,840
Washington
$97,420
$102,920
New York
$90,600
$95,720
Illinois
$85,230
$98,270
Hawaii
$84,150
$94,840
Maine
$64,440
$97,640

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Chemistss or Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss?

Chemistss earn more nationally. The median is $91,240 for Chemistss versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss, a difference of $1K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Chemists 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 Chemistss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Chemistss at $149,860/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Chemistss earn $149,860 vs. $111,530 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Chemists salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Chemistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a chemistsGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →