Pros and Cons of a Public Health Inspection Career
A public health inspector, also referred to as an occupational health and safety specialist, evaluates a workplace to identify and address potentially harmful hazards (e.g. chemical and bacterial contamination) to workers or the general public. Check out the pros and cons to help you decide if this might be a career that fits you.
| Pros of Becoming a Public Health Inspector |
|---|
| Good earning potential (median salary was about $69,210 in 2014)* |
| Work is available nationwide (small towns and large cities both need health inspectors)* |
| Variety of employers need health inspectors (governments, mines, factories)* |
| Opportunity to keep people safe and prevent injuries through your work** |
| Cons of Being a Public Health Inspector |
|---|
| Employment growth was predicted to be slower than the national average (projected 4% increase in employment from 2014-2024)* |
| Possible exposure to dangerous substances and materials* |
| You may occasionally be required to work weekends or irregular hours* |
| High pressure to pay close attention to detail and make sure proper safety assessments are made** |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **O*NET Online.
Career Information
Job Description
Public health inspectors assess workplace settings, equipment, protocols and other components or activities to determine what could lead to injuries and illnesses. Based on your findings, you may develop programs and other initiatives to prevent, eliminate and reduce risks. You may also evaluate workplaces to verify adherence to government regulations on health and safety. If an accident happens, you'd be responsible for looking into what caused it, and then you'd figure out what could be done to avoid a repeat scenario. Some health inspectors may lead training programs that show proper equipment operation methods and give safety instructions to employees.
Salary Info and Career Outlook
According to the BLS, the median salary for occupational health and safety specialists was approximately $69,210 in 2014. The top 10% of these professionals earned more than $101,000 in 2014.
It is important to note that the job growth for occupational health and safety technicians was expected to increase by 4% between 2014 and 2024, which was slower than the average for all occupations. However, as new environmental regulations are created, more specialists will be needed to enforce those policies. The BLS predicted that specialists will be needed to regulate nuclear energy plants as more locations adopt this type of energy production.
What Are the Career Requirements?
The BLS reported that entry-level public health inspectors usually need to complete a bachelor's degree program. Some of the common programs that can benefit public health inspectors include occupational health, public safety, chemistry and engineering.
What Employers Are Looking For
In addition to a formal education, employers tend to look for candidates with work experience in a specific environment. Some employers may prefer applicants who have a certification or who are willing to get a certification. Here are some examples of real job postings from April and May 2012:
- A health management company in New York wants to hire an ergonomist who has at least a bachelor's degree, 3 years of ergonomic assessment experience and certification eligibility. A candidate with a graduate degree, five years of experience and an existing professional certification is preferred.
- A corporation that provides engineering, construction and technical services is looking for an industrial hygienist to work in Utah. Candidates must have bachelor's degree with 4 years of experience, a master's degree with at least 2 years of experience, a high school diploma with at least 14 years of professional training and work experience, or a Ph.D. in Occupational Safety. Applicants who have earned the Certified Industrial Hygienist designation are preferred.
- A healthcare alliance in Massachusetts would like to hire public health inspectors at multiple locations throughout the county. Applicants with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience were preferred; no specific requirements were listed.
- A county department in Ohio advertised for an inspector and safety trainer who would focus on creating and implementing safety training and accident prevention programs. Candidates should have knowledge of state and federal safety policies and have strong communication skills. Applicants need to have a bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of experience.
How to Stand Out in the Field
Professional certification is one way that can help you get an edge over other applicants. The Board of Certified Safety Professionals offers several designations that could give your job search a boost, such as the Certified Safety Professional, the Associate Safety Professional and the Occupational Health Technologist certifications. Requirements vary between organizations, but most certifications can be earned by meeting the eligibility prerequisites and passing an exam. Some designations may only require you to have a high school diploma to go along with your experience, while others may only be available to you if you have a bachelor's degree. The American Society of Safety Engineers also offers certification workshops and training seminars that could give your job search a boost.
Alternative Career Paths
Occupational Health and Safety Technician
If you would like to work in public health and safety, but the amount of education and training required to become a public health inspector makes you hesitant to pursue that career, then you may want to consider becoming an occupational health and safety technician. You would assist public health inspectors and similar professionals with various responsibilities, such as collecting samples, safety training and investigating incidents. The BLS reported that occupational health and safety technicians usually receive on-the-job training or complete an associate's degree program.
Although education requirements are lower for occupational health and safety technicians, the pay generally is lower as well. The BLS reported that these professionals earned a median annual income of approximately $46,000 in 2011. However, job prospects for technicians were expected to be slightly better than specialists; the BLS predicted that occupational health and safety technicians would see job growth of 13% from 2010-2020.
Building Inspector
If you're interested in an inspection career, but public health inspection isn't the best fit for you, consider becoming a building inspector. Building inspectors make sure safety initiatives are followed at construction locations. While a high school diploma or GED is usually adequate, some employers may require an associate's degree. It is important to note that, although education requirements are not as high as public health inspectors, you may have to obtain certification or licensure in the state you wish to work. Licensing requirements vary between states, so you'll want to see what is expected of you in the states you're thinking about working in.
In 2011, the BLS found that construction and building inspectors earned a median salary of about $53,000. According to the BLS, job opportunities for building and construction inspectors were projected to grow by 18% during the decade of 2010-2020.
