Industrial Hygienist Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

Industrial Hygienist

Although people don’t often like to think about it, many of the companies and manufacturing processes that provide the services and products that we like to use can be hazardous and even deadly to the workers that perform them. Companies that work with chemicals, environmental remediation, industrial manufacturing and agricultural processing often expose their employees to situations and substances that might potentially harmful if not handled correctly. The job of the industrial hygienist is to examine any potential health hazards that exist on a company’s property or in their supply chain and enforce governmental regulations about how they should correct the problem. Industrial hygienists are responsible for interviewing employees and managers, visually assessing job sites, taking samples of substances and air, water and soil conditions, and reporting their findings to the appropriate experts and authorities.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$53,600
Salary Range
$37,700 - $67,900

Work Environment

It is common for industrial hygienists to be just one of the members of an entire environmental health team that might work independently or for a specific corporation. It is not unusual for industrial hygienists to be employed by government agencies, insurance companies, labor unions or industrial engineering firms.

High School Preparation

Students that think they might enjoy the responsibilities of an industrial hygienist will want to focus their early studies on industrial practices and the governmental regulations that govern them. Supporting subjects include biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and community health. Computer skills and data processing experience are also useful.

Requirements

Following completion of the high school diploma, it is required that candidates for the position of industrial hygienist enroll in an accredited university or college. Appropriate majors include environmental health engineering, physical science, occupational safety and health, or natural science. However, those individuals who completed an unrelated bachelor’s degree can always choose to specialize in one of the above fields in graduate school. Once the candidate has completed their formal education, it is recommended that they seek certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

Career Outlook

As more people become aware of the potential impact of industry on the quality of the environment and the health of the workers that are employed in it, there will be an increased demand for qualified industrial hygienists that will work to protect both the public and the workforce. It is expected that demand to fill the position of industrial hygienist will increase at pace with the rest of the workforce for the next few years. The most secure jobs will continue to be offered by the government and environmental monitoring agencies.

Professional Organizations

American Board of Industrial Hygiene
6015 West St. Joseph, Suite 102
Lansing, MI 48917-3980
Phone: (517) 321-2638
www.abih.org