Industrial hygienist salaries have increased, AIHA survey shows

Falls Church, VA – The average salary for industrial hygienists has increased more than $10,000 in the past five years, according to survey results released May 30 by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

The survey was sent out in the third quarter of 2013. It follows up on a survey AIHA conducted in 2008.

Last year, the average salary for industrial hygienists was $105,166, compared with $94,947 in 2008. Industrial hygienists in the pharmaceutical industry earned the highest average salary at $117,106, and respondents 65 or older had the highest average salary at $132,471. The lowest average salaries were reported by respondents in government or the military ($96,291), and those younger than 35 ($69,820).

“These survey results are extremely encouraging to our members and to the IH profession,” AIHA President Barbara Dawson said in a press release. “It’s exciting to see that the work we do to protect the health and well-being of workers is being appropriately compensated.”

The association said the survey was sent to nearly 16,000 email addresses, roughly half of which belonged to AIHA members. A total of 3,852 individuals completed the survey for a 24.5 percent response rate.