Raleigh, N.C. — In a move aimed at strengthening workplace safety across the state, the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) has raised starting salaries for its frontline compliance safety officers. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced Monday that fully qualified inspectors in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division will now earn $61,000 annually, marking a more than 5% increase in starting pay.
The pay boost comes as part of a broader effort by Commissioner Farley to enhance the department’s ability to recruit and retain skilled safety professionals, who play a critical role in enforcing workplace safety laws and investigating complaints across North Carolina.
“As Labor Commissioner, my top priority is keeping the working men and women of North Carolina safe and healthy on the job,” said Farley. “By raising the starting pay for our compliance officers, we’re investing in the people who keep North Carolina’s workers safe. This is a down payment on safer job sites across our state.”
Compliance safety officers are tasked with conducting inspections, ensuring adherence to both state and federal safety regulations, and investigating workplace hazards. The role is considered central to the department’s mission to protect worker health and safety.
The salary increase is being implemented without additional taxpayer burden, funded through a strategic reallocation of existing resources within the department. According to officials, the move is expected to improve team stability and enhance the department’s overall effectiveness.
This initiative is part of Commissioner Farley’s three-point safety plan, which also includes:
- Filling inspector vacancies
- Reducing wait times for voluntary inspections requested by employers
- Expanding recognition programs that highlight exceptional safety practices in the workplace
For more information on the NCDOL’s workplace safety initiatives and resources, visit www.labor.nc.gov.
