Commissioner Farley Fulfills Key Campaign Promise in First Year

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced on Tuesday that the state has achieved a historic milestone: the vacancy rate for Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) has fallen below 10%, marking the lowest level in over a decade.

The significant achievement represents a major victory in the state’s ongoing effort to strengthen workplace safety and comes during the first year of Farley’s tenure as commissioner. The milestone directly fulfills one of his central campaign pledges to rebuild the Department’s frontline enforcement workforce.

“This is more than a hiring win — it’s a safety win,” Farley said at the announcement. “Every inspector we add means faster response times, more site visits, and safer working conditions for the people who provide for their families and power North Carolina’s economy.”

Dramatic Reduction in Just Nine Months

The turnaround has been swift and substantial. When Farley took office in January 2025, the CSHO vacancy rate stood above 20%. Through an aggressive, multi-pronged recruitment and retention strategy, the administration has cut that figure by more than half in less than a year.

The success was achieved through two major workforce investments rolled out throughout 2025. The state increased the starting salary for fully qualified compliance safety officers to $61,000 — a meaningful boost designed to attract top talent to the field. Additionally, the administration implemented a 3% raise for veteran inspectors with three or more years of service, recognizing the expertise and dedication of experienced staff.

Notably, both pay adjustments were funded through strategic reallocation of existing departmental resources, requiring no additional tax dollars or new appropriations.

A Broader Vision for Workplace Safety

The inspector vacancy reduction is part of Farley’s comprehensive three-point safety plan aimed at positioning North Carolina as a national leader in workplace protection. Beyond filling open positions to boost enforcement capacity, the plan includes efforts to cut wait times for voluntary safety consultations and expand recognition programs that reward safety excellence across both private and public sectors.

“We promised to fix the inspector shortage — and we did it,” Farley said. “By valuing the professionals who keep job sites safe, we’ve sent a clear message: North Carolina backs its workforce with action, not just words.”

Setting National Standards

According to Farley, the state’s achievement demonstrates that North Carolina is prepared to lead beyond meeting national standards.

“This milestone is proof that North Carolina can lead the nation in workplace safety,” said Farley. “We’re not just meeting standards — we’re setting them.”

For more information about workplace safety programs and resources, visit www.labor.nc.gov.