He served as the Chief of the Division of Industrial Hygiene at the National Institute of Health and the 7th director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

He remained in this role until 1933 when he became the Chief of the Division of Industrial Hygiene at the National Institute of Health.

[1][4][5] From September 20, 1950, until around 1960, Sayers served as the Senior Medical Supervisor of Occupational Diseases for the Baltimore City Health Department.

[7] Sayers purchased the Robert E. Lee Boyhood Home in Alexandria, Virginia in 1932 from the heirs of Emmuella Burson.

The Sayers worked to renovate and restore the property, and opened it up for private and public tours.