Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in Kentucky
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Kentucky earn a median of $83,730 a year ($40.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,120 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $90,150. Kentucky ranks 42nd of 51 states for occupational health and safety specialists pay. There are 1.2 occupational health and safety specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational health and safety specialists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| 25th percentile | $68,150 | $32.77 |
| Median | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| 75th percentile | $106,420 | $51.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,120 | $62.08 |
| Average (mean) | $87,530 | $42.08 |
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 | $6,977.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,488.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,220.38 |
| Weekly | $1,610.19 |
| Hourly | $40.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $93,200 | 1,260 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $91,740 | 80 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $88,610 | 70 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $88,270 | 700 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $84,730 | 80 |
| Owensboro, KY | $82,880 | 40 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $79,950 | 270 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $77,450 | 160 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $74,430 | 140 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,120 | $29.38 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| School Psychologist | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Chemist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Biological Technician | $48,910 | $23.52 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for occupational health and safety specialists in Kentucky is $83,730 a year, or $40.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational health and safety specialists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of occupational health and safety specialists in Kentucky earn at least $129,120 a year. The top 25% earn $106,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational health and safety specialists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,040 a year, and a quarter of occupational health and safety specialists earn $68,150 or less.
How many occupational health and safety specialists work in Kentucky?
About 2,480 occupational health and safety specialists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.