The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) field has evolved into an essential part of the modern workplace, and the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise. More companies than ever before are prioritizing safety, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance.
To give you a comprehensive view, I’ll break down everything you need to know about top EHS jobs in 2024, the skills that can set you apart, and even what kind of salary you might expect in each role.
Key Takeaways
- EHS professionals are essential in industries, enhancing safety, compliance, and creating safer work cultures in diverse settings.
- EHS roles are steadily growing, with health and safety engineering jobs projected to expand by 5% from 2023 to 2033, driven by regulatory and safety needs.
- Positions like EHS manager, industrial hygienist, and director roles in high-risk industries often offer salaries in the high 100s to low 200s.
- BCSP certifications, such as CSP and CIH, validate EHS expertise and open up higher-paying roles, adding value and credibility for professionals.
EHS professionals are the gatekeepers of workplace safety and environmental compliance. Their roles span from developing safety programs to preventing environmental harm. What’s driving the demand? Three things: stricter regulations, a major push for sustainability, and a general increase in public awareness around environmental and safety issues.
How Is the EHS Job Market?
The job market for EHS professionals is holding steady, with demand projected to continue growing over the next decade. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for health and safety engineers is expected to increase by around 5% from 2023 to 2033, keeping pace with the average growth rate for all occupations. Each year, we can anticipate roughly 1,500 job openings for health and safety engineers.
From what I see, even industries traditionally less focused on environmental health and safety are now recognizing the value of an EHS career, as they help mitigate risks, protect their workforce, and meet regulatory requirements. As regulations and best practices evolve, so do the requirements and responsibilities for EHS roles.
What Are the Key Skills and Qualities Needed for EHS Jobs?
EHS jobs require a unique mix of technical expertise and soft skills. Let’s discuss these skills:
- Technical Skills: Knowledge of safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and environmental science is non-negotiable. EHS professionals must be adept in risk assessment, incident investigation, and data analysis. For more specialized roles, like an Industrial Hygienist or Environmental Toxicologist, there’s a need for deeper expertise in subjects like toxicology, chemical safety, or air quality.
- Soft Skills: EHS professionals don’t just work with data – they work with people. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and leadership are key for roles such as Health and Safety Consultant or Occupational Health and Safety Manager. EHS professionals often serve as a bridge between management and employees, so the ability to connect and communicate clearly is vital.
Is an EHS Certification Required?
While not always mandatory, an EHS certification can make a significant difference. Certifications not only validate your knowledge and skills but also open up opportunities for advancement. Some popular certifications in this field include:
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
- REM (Registered Environmental Manager)
These certifications can help you stand out in the job market, especially for roles where specific expertise in areas like hazardous materials management or industrial hygiene is beneficial.
Top 8 EHS Jobs in 2024
Now, let’s get into the top EHS jobs to consider this year. Each role offers unique responsibilities, salary expectations, and a specific skill set, so you can find something tailored to your interests and expertise:
1. EHS Specialist
Average Salary: Between $63,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on experience and location
An EHS Specialist is pivotal in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. These professionals are responsible for conducting inspections, developing safety policies, and ensuring that all environmental regulations are adhered to.
Typically, EHS Specialists hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, occupational safety, or a related field, and many find that a certification like CSP or CIH adds significant value to their credentials.
2. Occupational Health and Safety Manager
Average Salary: $77,500 to $138,000 annually
Occupational Health and Safety Managers are responsible for the strategic oversight of health and safety programs within a company. They lead initiatives to train staff, create robust safety protocols, and manage incident investigations to continually improve workplace safety.
Most professionals in this role have a bachelor’s degree and often add certifications like CSP or CSHM (Certified Safety and Health Manager) to reinforce their expertise.
3. Industrial Hygienist
Average Salary: Between $47,000 and $109,000
An Industrial Hygienist focuses on identifying and managing health hazards within the workplace. This role involves assessing air and water quality, monitoring hazardous materials, and implementing exposure controls to protect workers’ health.
Most Industrial Hygienists hold a degree in industrial hygiene or a related field, and many pursue the CIH certification to bolster their credentials.
4. EHS Compliance Specialist
Average Salary: $11,000 to $113,500 annually
The EHS Compliance Specialist ensures that a company strictly adheres to safety and environmental regulations. This role involves significant documentation, auditing, and collaboration with regulatory bodies to meet compliance standards.
A bachelor’s degree in safety, health, or environmental science is commonly required, and professionals with a CHMM certification often stand out to employers.
5. Environmental Specialist
Average Salary: $43,500 to $73,000 annually
Environmental Specialists focus on reducing a company’s environmental footprint by developing sustainable practices and managing waste reduction strategies. This role requires a strong background in environmental science, often with a degree in a related field, and certifications like the REM (Registered Environmental Manager) can further enhance their professional standing.
6. Health and Safety Consultant
Average Salary: Between $44,658 and $122,000 per year
A Health and Safety Consultant offers expert guidance to companies seeking to improve their workplace safety programs. In this role, consultants perform risk assessments, develop custom safety plans, and advise on best practices tailored to each client’s needs.
Employers prefer consultants with significant field experience and certifications like CSP or CIH, which validate their expertise.
7. EHS in Pharmaceutical Settings
Average Salary: Between $63,000 and $106,000 annually
Working in pharmaceuticals, EHS professionals ensure safety within labs and compliance with strict pharmaceutical regulations. This role requires managing hazardous materials, promoting safety protocols, and ensuring regulatory compliance in a highly controlled environment. A science degree and relevant industry background are common prerequisites, and certifications like CSP or CHMM are highly beneficial.
8. Environmental Toxicologist
Average Salary: $84,000 to $135,500 annually
Environmental Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on human health and the environment, providing critical guidance on safe handling, exposure limits, and disposal. This role requires advanced training, often with a degree in toxicology or a related field, and certifications like DABT (Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology) can significantly enhance one’s qualifications.
What Are Some Different Places You Can Work in the EHS Field?
In the environmental health and safety field, the range of industries you can work in is far more diverse than most people realize. While manufacturing, construction, and healthcare are common, EHS roles now span into unique and exciting fields:
- TV/Film Production: Focuses on managing on-set safety for cast and crew, especially during stunts and special effects.
- Theme Parks: Ensures safety in high-traffic areas, ride operations, and attractions to protect both guests and staff.
- Retail/Warehouses: Manages safety protocols for heavy equipment, high-volume activity, and ergonomic standards in fast-paced environments.
- Food Production: Prioritizes both worker safety and sanitation standards in food processing and packaging facilities.
- Nuclear Laboratories: Manages radiation safety, hazardous material handling, and containment protocols to protect lab workers and the environment.
- Mining: Focuses on equipment safety, dust control, and emergency response planning in high-risk extraction environments.
- Sustainability: Develops and enforces eco-friendly practices that align with environmental standards and minimize workplace impact.
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What Are Some of the High-Paying Roles in EHS?
Some of the highest-paying EHS jobs are those that require specialized skills or certifications. For professionals with 5 to 7 years under their belt, such as EHS managers or engineers, earnings typically range from the low to mid-100s. As you move up to senior roles like associate director or director, it’s common to see salaries climb into the high 100s and even break into the low 200s.
Industries like construction, oil and gas, high-tech sectors, and medical fields tend to offer higher pay, thanks to the specialized knowledge and responsibility involved. Certification achievements, like those from Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), can also boost earning potential, further solidifying your value in this field.
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Would I Recommend Others to Enter the EHS Field?
If you're considering a career in environmental health and safety, it’s fair to look at both the challenges and the rewards. Let me be upfront: this field can test your patience and resilience. Not every site or manager you encounter will see the importance of safety, and some workplaces genuinely resist change, even when it’s for their own good.
There are times when you’ll feel like you're up against the very people you're trying to protect. Working with managers who view safety as just an "extra task" or dealing with a company culture indifferent to safety can be frustrating. And yes, there will be days when you feel like you’re the only one who cares about keeping everyone safe.
But here’s the other side—the part that makes it all worth it. If you’re interested in making a real difference in both safety and environmental impact, an EHS career offers meaningful work with plenty of growth potential. It’s an opportunity to positively affect lives and contribute to broader sustainability goals. You get the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping create safer, healthier, and more environmentally responsible workplaces.
So, would I recommend the EHS field? Absolutely. But go in knowing that it’s a journey, one that will challenge you, frustrate you, and reward you in equal measure.
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