Breaking down OSHA’s employee satisfaction score

OSHA employees who participated in a recent survey scored the agency on its performance in several categories, including pay and leadership.

The survey, released Dec. 9, was conducted by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. Overall, OSHA scored 61.6 and ranked 113th out of 315 agency subcomponents. (Subcomponents are government agencies residing under “parent” agencies; in this case, OSHA falls under the Department of Labor.)

This score put OSHA above the median, a boost from last year.

- Digital Partners -

The overall score is calculated based on scores in 10 different categories. Here’s a breakdown of OSHA’s score and rankings:

Category 2014 rank 2014 score
Effective leadership 179 52.1
Employee skills/mission match 115 76.2
Pay 137 58.9
Strategic management 82 56.9
Teamwork 141 65.9
Innovation 230 57.9
Training and development 261 49.0
Work-life balance 264 53.8
Support for diversity 186 55.5
Performance-based rewards and advancement 147 43.9

OSHA improved its 2014 score over 2013 in nearly every category. Only strategic management, support for diversity, and fairness (a subcategory of effective leadership) received a lower score in 2014, and the declines were small.

These results, in addition to opportunities I’ve had to speak with current and former OSHA employees, tell me most employees are pretty happy with the agency.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

The opinions expressed in "On Safety" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.

- Digital Partners -

Next Webinar

When HOP Meets AI: A New Tension for Safety Leaders

Date: Thursday July 9th, 2026

Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm CDT

Sponsored By: Intelex

Register Now

Current Issue

What's Trending

From our Partners

Earn recertification points

Board of Certified Safety Professionals

Take a quiz about this issue of the magazine and earn recertification points from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.