Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene is a specialized field focused on safeguarding worker well-being through systematic evaluation and improvement of workplace conditions. This program equips professionals with the expertise to identify, assess, and mitigate health risks in diverse work environments, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and promoting long-term occupational wellness.
- Occupational health and safety standards and regulations: Study of federal, state, and industry-specific rules governing safe working conditions, including compliance protocols and enforcement mechanisms.
- Health-related aspects of occupations and work environments: Analysis of how different job roles, physical settings, and work processes impact employee health and safety outcomes.
- Health hazard testing and evaluation: Application of scientific methods to detect and measure airborne contaminants, chemical exposures, and physical hazards in real-world settings.
- Test equipment operation and maintenance: Hands-on training in the proper use, calibration, and upkeep of instruments used to monitor environmental exposures and safety parameters.
- Industrial toxicology: In-depth examination of the adverse health effects of workplace chemicals and toxins, including exposure pathways and dose-response relationships.
- Worker health and safety education: Development of strategies and materials to train employees on protective practices, hazard recognition, and emergency response procedures.
- Analysis of job-related equipment, behavior, and protective measures: Evaluation of personal protective equipment, engineering controls, work behaviors, and safety protocols to enhance overall protection and performance.
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Occupational Health and Safety Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 389,600 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 19-5011 | $83,910 | $50,610 - $130,460 | 128,430 | $40.34 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians 19-5012 | $58,440 | $40,550 - $94,670 | 31,450 | $28.10 |
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $68,727 in Oklahoma to $112,857 in District of Columbia—a 64% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 389,600 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 25 institutions offering Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene is found at Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (75 graduates), Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) (53 graduates), University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (30 graduates), University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) (23 graduates), and University of Utah (U of U) (16 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 313 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Other Award
|
75 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
53 | Butte, Montana | Public | mtech.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Master's
|
30 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Master's
|
16 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Houston (UHCL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhcl.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
9 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
9 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Master's
|
8 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Public | sdsmt.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Master's
|
4 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR‑MSC) |
Master's
|
4 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | rcm.upr.edu |
| Athens State University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Athens, Alabama | Public | athens.edu |
| University of North Alabama (UNA) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Florence, Alabama | Public | una.edu |
| Regis University |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| Capitol Technology University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | captechu.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) |
Master's
|
1 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | ouhsc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene programs
How much can I earn with a Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene degree?
Salaries for Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn around $83,910. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $112,857 compared to $68,727 in Oklahoma. Approximately 389,600 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (75 graduates), Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) (53 graduates), and University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (30 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 244 in 2010 to 313 in 2023-24. This represents a 28% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, and Occupational Health and Safety Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 389,600 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Health Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Genetics Technology
A program that prepares individuals to perform analyses of the human genome and chromosomes for the research and diagnosis of genetic diseases and...
Renal Dialysis Technology
A program that prepares individuals to administer hemodialysis treatments to patients with renal failure under the supervision of a nurse or physician. Includes...
Sterile Processing Technology
A program that prepares individuals to clean, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in operating rooms and other medical...
Clinical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions
Any instructional program in clinical/medical laboratory science and allied professions not listed above.
Pre-Dentistry Studies
A program that prepares individuals for admission to a professional program in dentistry.
Pre-Medicine
A program that prepares individuals for admission to a professional program in medicine, osteopathic medicine, or podiatric medicine.