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Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 181 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 69% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danger or potential harm exists.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  3. Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices or maintenance of proper ventilation during wind turbine construction.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

    Very similar work
    +37% pay1,913 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 37% more—$98,402 vs your $71,589 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Education and Training
    • English Language
    • Mathematics
    • Active Listening
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Biology
    • Systems Evaluation
  • Physicians, All Other

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    +248% pay528 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 248% more—$249,284 vs your $71,589 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Education and Training
    • English Language
    • Active Listening
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Customer and Personal Service

    New skills to build

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Biology
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Construction and Building Inspectors

    Similar work
    +14% pay5,482 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$81,618 vs your $71,589 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
  • Agricultural Inspectors

    Similar work
    +6% pay61 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 6% more—$75,922 vs your $71,589 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Deductive Reasoning

    New skills to build

    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Food Production
  • Transportation Inspectors

    Somewhat similar work
    +33% pay517 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 33% more—$95,467 vs your $71,589 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • English Language
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Public Safety and Security

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Mechanical
    • Equipment Maintenance
  • Nuclear Technicians

    Somewhat similar work
    +86% pay751 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 86% more—$133,415 vs your $71,589 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires an associate's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Public Safety and Security

    New skills to build

    • Operations Monitoring
    • Troubleshooting
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Control Precision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Emergency Management Directors

    Somewhat similar work
    +31% pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 31% more—$94,125 vs your $71,589 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Education and Training
    • English Language
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Active Listening
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Service Orientation
    • Telecommunications
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Coordination
    • Geography