Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in Virginia
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Virginia earn a median of $90,800 a year ($43.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,350 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $90,150. Virginia ranks 21st of 51 states for occupational health and safety specialists pay. There are 0.95 occupational health and safety specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $95,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational health and safety specialists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| 25th percentile | $70,640 | $33.96 |
| Median | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| 75th percentile | $113,920 | $54.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,350 | $66.52 |
| Average (mean) | $95,070 | $45.71 |
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 | $7,566.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,783.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,492.31 |
| Weekly | $1,746.15 |
| Hourly | $43.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $109,170 | 1,920 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $89,920 | 940 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $86,480 | 100 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $85,170 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $83,740 | 160 |
| Richmond, VA | $83,420 | 690 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $81,120 | 60 |
| Roanoke, VA | $80,260 | 130 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $77,960 | 70 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $73,920 | 50 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $72,890 | 70 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Biological Technician | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $86,030 | $41.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| Chemist | $96,650 | $46.47 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| School Psychologist | $85,670 | $41.19 |
| Economist | $137,590 | $66.15 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for occupational health and safety specialists in Virginia is $90,800 a year, or $43.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational health and safety specialists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of occupational health and safety specialists in Virginia earn at least $138,350 a year. The top 25% earn $113,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational health and safety specialists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,180 a year, and a quarter of occupational health and safety specialists earn $70,640 or less.
How many occupational health and safety specialists work in Virginia?
About 3,910 occupational health and safety specialists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.