Industrial Hygiene Career Opportunities

Although some occupations may appear to be more hazardous than others, potential short-term and chronic health hazards are encountered in most workplaces. Such hazards may arise from chemical or biological exposures (dusts, gases, microbes, pathogens), ergonomic factors (musculoskeletal effects), accidents (slips, falls, electric shock), radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing), or psychosocial factors (job stress). Any or all of these may be present, whether a person is an office worker, construction worker, flight attendant, maintenance technician, researcher, firefighter, health care worker, etc.

Careers and Networking

Related to potential hazards encountered within the workplace are those associated with the products or byproducts (i.e., waste) of work processes and activities. The storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous substances, monitoring of emissions from stacks and waste streams; and assurance of consumer product safety are all considered part of modern integrated health and safety management programs.

Industrial Hygiene is an allied health profession that utilizes the concepts of the natural sciences and mathematics, the principles of engineering, and effective public health management skills to identify, characterize, and control biological, chemical, physical, and psychosocial agents of disease, disability, or discomfort that may arise in or from the workplace and affect the health or standard of living of workers and/or the community at large.

As we move toward a more holistic view of human health and well-being, industrial hygienists' roles are expanding to encompass environmental issues, such as hazardous waste, ambient air pollution, and ecological balance, as well as emotional and mental health issues associated with increased workloads and associated stress on the job. Industrial hygiene is an art and a science that involves technical insight, judgement, creativity, and human interaction.

These days, most successful industrial hygiene professionals earn bachelor's degrees in a science or engineering discipline and obtain a Master's degree (MS or MPH) industrial hygiene. Those interested in a research career aimed at solving the more fundamental problems in this field generally pursue a doctoral degree. The field of industrial hygiene is continually changing to keep up with evolving trends in technology, national/international workforce demographics and environmental regulations, and the effects these have on work practices and the potential human and ecological health hazards arising from them. The dynamic nature of these trends presents unique challenges and exciting opportunities for those entering the profession.

Although it is not possible to enumerate all of the possible career opportunities encompassed by the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene, some typical roles and responsibilities include:

Investigating and characterizing workplaces for potential health hazards either independently or as part of a team that might include an occupational physician, nurse, ergonomist, safety officer, building or process engineer, and/or environmental scientist.
Planning and implementing exposure assessment strategies for determining risks from chemical, biological, physical, or safety hazards
Developing new exposure measurement methods, instrumentation, and approaches
Critically evaluating current research on health effects, exposure levels, sampling and analytical methodologies, and assessment/management tools associated with a particular material or process
Conducting focused research studies on the effectiveness of tool redesign, engineering or personal protective control measures, or alternative manufacturing processes to eliminate hazardous materials
Making recommendations to plant and corporate managers for improving work practices and workplace conditions to protect workers and the surrounding community
Communicating risks to affected worker and community populations, training them to be aware of health hazards of their work, and empowering them to effect changes where warranted
Implementing effective programs for assessing and managing exposures
Advising government officials and participating in the development of regulations to ensure the health and safety of workers and their families
Interfacing with lawyers, physicians, insurance agents, public health officers, community members, university researchers, families, and other stakeholders on matters of occupational and environmental health and safety
Working as part of a corporate management team to prioritize problem solving efforts, make difficult decisions, and ensure quality in the context of a broad business plan

Industrial hygienists at the "entry level" are likely to focus on learning specific aspects of their employer's business, evaluating potential hazards by various sampling and testing methods, reporting findings and recommendations, and following up on recommended interventions. As experience is gained and individual strengths are demonstrated, promotion to management positions can be expected, with responsibilities for worker safety and health, organizational resources and priorities, regulatory oversight, as well as community and environmental issues. This generally requires Master's level education. Promotion to higher-level management positions requires several years of experience and carries responsibilities for a broader array of health, safety, environmental, and human resource aspects of a company, often with an more expansive (e.g., multi-national) jurisdiction.

According to the latest statistics, there is a large, unmet demand for industrial hygienists in the U.S. and abroad. Positions can be found in small businesses, large corporations with international locations, government agencies, colleges and universities, insurance companies, occupational/environmental consulting firms, etc. The list linked to this webpage is a sample of employers that have hired recent graduates from the University of Michigan Industrial Hygiene Program, which provides an indication of the breadth of career opportunities and the network of alumni throughout the world. The Michigan school spirit provides a common and lasting bond among our graduates that spans decades.

In general, industrial hygienists are well compensated. Entry-level positions for MS/MPH graduates from the UM IH Program typically provide annual salaries in the $45 - $55K range. Graduates with previous experience or with outstanding academic records can earn starting salaries over $60K. Top-level managers of corporate programs currently earn well over $100K per year.

Beyond the financial compensation, there is the added benefit of having a career that is interesting, intellectually challenging, and focused on the noble goal of protecting human health and environmental quality.