Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in Illinois
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Illinois earn a median of $98,270 a year ($47.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,000 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $90,150. Illinois ranks 9th of 51 states for occupational health and safety specialists pay. There are 0.48 occupational health and safety specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $99,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational health and safety specialists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| 25th percentile | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Median | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| 75th percentile | $117,010 | $56.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,000 | $65.87 |
| Average (mean) | $99,170 | $47.68 |
Half of occupational health and safety specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,189.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,094.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,779.62 |
| Weekly | $1,889.81 |
| Hourly | $47.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $101,630 | 2,250 |
| Peoria, IL | $94,520 | 120 |
| Rockford, IL | $94,450 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $94,010 | 1,160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $93,280 | 160 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $91,740 | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $82,750 | 70 |
| Springfield, IL | $81,590 | 40 |
| Decatur, IL | $79,880 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for occupational health and safety specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 |
| Massachusetts | $103,970 |
| Washington | $102,920 |
| California | $102,840 |
| Rhode Island | $101,740 |
| Colorado | $101,400 |
| New Hampshire | $101,260 |
| Alaska | $99,270 |
| Illinois | $98,270 |
| Maine | $97,640 |
See Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Physicist | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,590 | $39.23 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $91,360 | $43.92 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,790 | $25.38 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-5011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational health and safety specialists make in Illinois?
The median salary for occupational health and safety specialists in Illinois is $98,270 a year, or $47.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational health and safety specialists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of occupational health and safety specialists in Illinois earn at least $137,000 a year. The top 25% earn $117,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational health and safety specialists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,160 a year, and a quarter of occupational health and safety specialists earn $79,190 or less.
How many occupational health and safety specialists work in Illinois?
About 2,900 occupational health and safety specialists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.