Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in Tennessee
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Tennessee earn a median of $81,190 a year ($39.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,250 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $90,150. Tennessee ranks 47th of 51 states for occupational health and safety specialists pay. There are 0.82 occupational health and safety specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational health and safety specialists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Median | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| 75th percentile | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,250 | $57.33 |
| Average (mean) | $82,020 | $39.43 |
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 | $6,765.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,382.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,122.69 |
| Weekly | $1,561.35 |
| Hourly | $39.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $83,740 | 160 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $83,410 | 810 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $81,990 | 410 |
| Johnson City, TN | $79,000 | 80 |
| Jackson, TN | $78,460 | 70 |
| Knoxville, TN | $78,110 | 470 |
| Morristown, TN | $77,370 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,470 | 230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $74,430 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $70,400 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Chemist | $87,930 | $42.27 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $80,860 | $38.87 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for occupational health and safety specialists in Tennessee is $81,190 a year, or $39.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational health and safety specialists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of occupational health and safety specialists in Tennessee earn at least $119,250 a year. The top 25% earn $99,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational health and safety specialists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,080 a year, and a quarter of occupational health and safety specialists earn $59,990 or less.
How many occupational health and safety specialists work in Tennessee?
About 2,690 occupational health and safety specialists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.