Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC make a median of $87,200 a year, or about $41.92 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $89,372 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 30.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $87K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About occupational health and safety specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level occupational health and safety specialists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K.Top earners bring in $141K or more - a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $116K | +38% | 270 |
| California | $100K | +19% | 14,600 |
| Washington | $98K | +17% | 3,820 |
| Rhode Island | $98K | +17% | 220 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 2,280 |
| Massachusetts | $96K | +15% | 3,380 |
| Minnesota | $94K | +12% | 2,390 |
| Wyoming | $93K | +11% | 520 |
| New Hampshire | $92K | +10% | 580 |
| Alaska | $92K | +9% | 380 |
| New Jersey | $91K | +9% | 2,840 |
| Connecticut | $91K | +8% | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $90K | +7% | 610 |
| New York | $88K | +4% | 5,520 |
| Georgia | $87K | +4% | 2,970 |
Track occupational health and safety specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do occupational health and safety specialists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $87,200 a year - that works out to about $41.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,420, and experienced occupational health and safety specialists can clear $141,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,484/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a occupational health and safety specialists salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational health and safety specialists salary is worth about $89,372 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational health and safety specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.