Only 37 percent of the safety and health pros polled by Industrial Safety & Hygiene News in its annual White Paper reader survey say they feel a rewarding sense of job satisfaction.

Job satisfaction among safety and health pros has fluctuated in recent years, from a low of 33 percent in 1995 (during perhaps the peak of corporate downsizing and Republican attacks on OSHA) to last year’s 42 percent.

Job security doesn’t seem to be a major factor. About 16 percent of those surveyed say they are worried about their jobs — down from 24 percent in 1995.

Tight resources could be a problem, though. Only 27 percent of the safety and health pros surveyed increased their budgets this year, and only 15 percent added staff.

ISHN’s 17th Annual White Paper survey is based on responses from 956 readers. Based on a mailing to 4,687 readers, the survey has a 20 percent response rate.