Soil and Plant Scientists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists out-earn Soil and Plant Scientists by $11K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Soil and Plant Scientists land at $78,850 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists at $90,150. The education gap is real: soil and plant scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Soil and Plant Scientists is District of Columbia ($107,140); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists it's District of Columbia ($111,530).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Soil and Plant Scientists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Soil and Plant Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn more nationally. The median is $78,850 for Soil and Plant Scientists versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, a difference of $11K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Soil and Plant Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists has the better 10-year outlook at 12.5% projected growth, compared to 5.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Soil and Plant Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?
Soil and Plant Scientists 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 Soil and Plant Scientists get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Soil and Plant Scientists at $107,140/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Soil and Plant Scientists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Soil and Plant Scientists earn $107,140 vs. $111,530 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.