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The differences between environmental safety specialists and environmental engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an environmental safety specialist, becoming an environmental engineer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an environmental engineer has an average salary of $75,718, which is higher than the $51,267 average annual salary of an environmental safety specialist.
The top three skills for an environmental safety specialist include OSHA, hazardous materials and corrective action. The most important skills for an environmental engineer are environmental compliance, project management, and OSHA.
| Environmental Safety Specialist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $51,267 | $75,718 |
| Hourly rate | $24.65 | $36.40 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 31,038 | 24,787 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
An environmental safety specialist is responsible for promoting environmental sustainability by ensuring that the production and manufacturing operations of an organization would not harm the environment's condition in any way. Environmental safety specialists monitor the safety and efficiency of the company's processes to minimize risks and hazards that may occur in the workplace. They also plan and facilitate safety training and programs for all employees to reiterate safety guidelines and regulations while within the premises.
Environmental engineers use the principles of science, biology, engineering, and chemistry to create solutions to certain environmental problems. They primarily work to improve waste disposal, public health, recycling, and to control water and air pollution. It is also their responsibility to address global issues, such as climate change, unsafe drinking water, and environmental sustainability. They typically prepare and review environmental investigation reports so that documents and permits are updated and in compliance with environmental regulations.
Environmental safety specialists and environmental engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Safety Specialist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average salary | $51,267 | $75,718 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $72,000 | Between $58,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Toledo, OH | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between an environmental safety specialist and an environmental engineer in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Safety Specialist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Occupational Safety And Health | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between environmental safety specialists' and environmental engineers' demographics:
| Environmental Safety Specialist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5% | Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 13% |