Industrial hygienists protect workplace safety by identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards including toxic chemicals, inadequate ventilation, and unsafe material handling practices. They earn a median salary of $79,370 nationally, with the top 10% earning over $123,580. A bachelor's degree in occupational health, engineering, chemistry, or biological sciences is required, with 18% working in government roles and 16% in manufacturing.
Industrial hygienists protect and mitigate employee safety in the use of materials and systems. They're the professionals who make sure your workplace won't make you sick.
What Does an Industrial Hygienist Do?
Industrial hygiene is vital for workplace safety. Many people use toxic substances at work-materials like industrial cleaning fluids and testing chemicals, particles from industrial processes (fiberglass and other small fragments that require ventilation), and more. These materials have potential public health consequences for people and the environment.
Industrial hygienists have a wide range of tasks, including safety controls-checking that ventilation systems are functioning properly, ensuring that safety procedures for handling materials are followed (using the correct safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, and overalls), and verifying proper storage protocols. Sometimes they're responsible for training others in health and safety procedures.
Here's what a typical day might look like: You'll start your morning conducting workplace inspections, using specialized monitoring equipment to measure airborne contaminants or noise levels. By afternoon, you're analyzing data and writing reports on your findings. Later, you might lead a training session teaching employees how to handle toxic materials safely. Throughout the day, you're constantly thinking ahead-anticipating problems before they arise and knowing exactly what to do if they do.
Their role is to anticipate and recognize problems before they arise, and as they arise, and to know what to do in the event that they do arise. Workplace illness and injury cost employees their livelihoods, health, and lives. They also cost businesses money (fines and compensation for affected workers) and reputation when neglect is demonstrated.
Industrial hygienists are, in many ways, applied scientists who also work as engineers and safety inspectors, depending on their environment and work sector. Their job is to protect people and the environment from industrial processes, such as manufacturing, engineering, and repair, particularly when hazardous materials are used. They work closely with hazardous materials specialists and environmental chemists to ensure comprehensive workplace protection.
Where Does an Industrial Hygienist Work?
Industrial hygienists work wherever workplace safety is required-which covers almost all work environments in the USA today. They're not limited to areas where toxic chemicals are used. They also protect environments from industrial processes and are just as likely to work on a construction site as in a chemical factory. Another name for industrial hygienists is Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. They're closely related to other health and safety professionals.
18% of industrial hygiene professionals work for state and local government. They'll often be government inspectors tasked with ensuring that local businesses and individuals comply with workplace safety and hazardous-materials regulations. Around 11% work in the federal government, fulfilling much the same roles. The majority of employers will be government agencies such as the CDC and the military. They'll work in federal government buildings such as colleges and universities, civic buildings, and scientific institutes.
The next-largest employer is manufacturing, with 16% (about one in every six). Factories pose some of the highest health and safety risks and require a large number of people tasked with protecting employees. The last highest employer is construction with 7% of employees. Their roles will be similar to those of manufacturing.
What Is the Average Industrial Hygienist Salary?
According to 2022 statistics, the median salary for industrial hygienists was $79,370. The lowest 10% in this career earned $47,580, and the top 10% earned $123,580. Government jobs paid a median salary of $82,630, while the construction industry paid $77,250.
Industrial Hygiene Jobs & Job Description
Determining acute and chronic health hazards and risks present in the workplace is a primary task of an industrial hygienist. Although the tasks vary depending on the place of employment, here's how entry-level and senior positions compare:
| Entry-Level Responsibilities | Senior-Level Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety or related field required | Several years of field experience required, often 5-7 years before advancing |
| Provide injury and disease risk assessments to various work environments | Construct policies and procedures for safe practices across multiple facilities |
| Work on teams and individually when required | Manage teams of industrial hygienists to carry out designated work tasks |
| Conduct regular workplace inspections to identify hazardous materials, safety opportunities, and biohazards | Design comprehensive risk maps identifying all potential workplace hazards |
| Use specialized monitoring equipment to measure airborne contaminants and noise pollution | Evaluate risk assessment reports to verify corrective actions were followed |
| Provide training to employees to reduce or eliminate workplace injury | Lead meetings and seminars at workplace or client locations, including workplace health and safety training programs |
| Ensure personal protective equipment is available, inventoried, and in good condition | Address complaints or concerns from employees or clients about workplace hazards |
| Investigate workplace injuries or incidents and construct reports with recommendations | Extensive travel may be required to oversee multiple workplace locations |
| Manage time efficiently with strong organizational skills | Attend continuing education to stay current on industrial hygiene knowledge and applications |
What Is the Job Demand for Industrial Hygienists?
Demand for industrial hygienists and occupational health and safety specialists is expected to grow by 13% between 2022 and 2032, adding approximately 14,600 new positions annually. This growth is driven by increased workplace safety regulations and greater awareness of occupational health risks.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become an Industrial Hygienist?
Industrial hygienists require, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree. Typical bachelor's degrees for this employment pathway include engineering, chemistry, physics, and biological sciences. Graduates need a biological understanding of the effects of workplace chemicals and substances. Medical qualifications may be helpful but aren't essential, as are degrees centered on workplace or environmental law.
The projected slowdown in employment demand means those with advanced degrees, such as master's degrees, will find more opportunities available to them. In terms of the work, master's degrees aren't essential, but as competition increases, those without advanced degrees will find they struggle to compete. Master's programs include education and training on handling hazardous materials, health physics, public health, and a greater knowledge of health and safety law.
Doctorates are necessary only for those who wish to engage in academic research-and even then, more in chemistry, biology, and physics than in industrial hygiene specifically. They may also be useful for individuals wishing to enter specialist medical careers.
Industrial Hygiene Certification: ABIH Requirements
Although certification isn't legally required to practice, all professional industrial hygienists are strongly recommended to seek certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). Here's what you need to know about becoming a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH):
Education and Experience Requirements: You'll need a bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health, or a closely related science field, plus at least five years of professional experience. If you have a master's degree, the experience requirement drops to four years. Those with doctorates need three years of experience.
Exam Preparation: The CIH exam is comprehensive, covering air sampling, chemical hazards, biological hazards, ergonomics, noise and vibration, and more. Most candidates spend 3-6 months preparing through self-study materials or review courses offered by professional organizations.
Career Benefits: While certification isn't mandatory, it's highly valued. Many employers prefer or require CIH certification for senior positions. Certified professionals often command higher salaries and have access to more job opportunities. If you're deciding between investing in certification or not, consider that it's become increasingly competitive in this field-certification can set you apart from other candidates.
Industrial Hygiene - Related Degrees
What Kind Of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Industrial Hygienists Have?
Industrial hygiene is a large and important field with the following professional bodies:
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA): AIHA is a professional networking body and information resource for professionals in the USA. They're the largest organization of its kind, offering advice and guidance to government and industry.
- American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH): For those seeking certification to practice industrial hygiene, ABIH is the organization to which you'll apply. They list accredited programs and international standards suitable for certification.
- CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): This division of the CDC develops health and safety protocols and systems for the federal government, ensuring that safety standards are relevant and promote the health of American workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an industrial hygienist and a safety manager?
While both focus on workplace safety, industrial hygienists specifically identify and control health hazards like chemical exposures, poor air quality, and noise pollution through scientific monitoring and analysis. Safety managers take a broader approach to preventing accidents and injuries by enforcing policies, implementing training programs, and overseeing compliance. Industrial hygienists often work closely with safety managers, but they're more specialized in occupational health science.
Is industrial hygienist certification required?
No, certification isn't legally required to work as an industrial hygienist. However, earning your Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) credential from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene is strongly recommended and often preferred by employers, especially for senior positions. Many professionals find that certification opens doors to better job opportunities and higher salaries. Think of it as an investment in your career advancement rather than a mandatory requirement.
Can I become an industrial hygienist with a biology degree?
Yes, a bachelor's degree in biology provides a solid foundation for industrial hygiene, as it equips you to understand how toxic substances affect human health. Many industrial hygienists come from biology backgrounds. You may want to supplement your education with coursework in chemistry, physics, or occupational health to strengthen your qualifications. Some professionals also pursue a master's degree in industrial hygiene or occupational health to become more competitive in the job market.
How long does it take to become a certified industrial hygienist?
The timeline varies based on your education level. After earning your bachelor's degree (typically 4 years), you'll need 5 years of professional experience before you're eligible for the CIH exam. If you earn a master's degree first (an additional 2 years), the experience requirement drops to 4 years. So realistically, you're looking at 8-11 years from starting college to earning certification. However, you can work as an industrial hygienist during those experience years-certification comes as you advance in your career.
What industries hire the most industrial hygienists?
Government agencies are the largest employers, with 18% working in state and local government and 11% in federal positions. Manufacturing comes next at 16%, followed by construction at 7%. You'll also find industrial hygienists in healthcare facilities, consulting firms, chemical plants, research laboratories, and other settings where workplace health hazards require professional oversight. The field offers diverse work environments-from construction sites to corporate offices to government inspection roles.
Key Takeaways
- Role Definition: Industrial hygienists prevent workplace illness and injury by identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards, including toxic chemical exposures, inadequate ventilation, noise pollution, and unsafe material handling practices, through scientific monitoring and analysis.
- Educational Pathway: Minimum bachelor's degree required in occupational health, engineering, chemistry, physics, or biological sciences; master's degree increasingly preferred for competitive positions as the field becomes more specialized.
- Certification Value: American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) certification is strongly recommended for career advancement, though not legally required. Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) credential requires a bachelor's degree plus 4-5 years of experience, depending on education level.
- Employment Sectors: 18% work in state and local government inspection roles, 16% in manufacturing facilities, 11% in federal government agencies (CDC, military, research institutes), and 7% in construction, with opportunities across diverse industries.
- Career Outlook: Expected to grow 13% through 2032, creating approximately 14,600 new positions annually, driven by increased workplace safety regulations and occupational health awareness.
Ready to start your industrial hygiene career? Explore accredited occupational health and safety programs that prepare you for ABIH certification and workplace safety roles.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for health and safety engineers reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2026.
