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Job outlook for managers, environmental and safety in the United States
Manager, environmental and safety job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected manager, environmental and safety job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 800 new jobs for managers, environmental and safety are projected over the next decade.
Manager, environmental and safety salaries have increased 9% for managers, environmental and safety in the last 5 years.
There are over 15,732 managers, environmental and safety currently employed in the United States.
There are 32,473 active manager, environmental and safety job openings in the US.
The average manager, environmental and safety salary is $87,111.
Are manager, environmental and safety jobs in demand?
Manager, environmental and safety job and salary trends over time
Manager, environmental and safety jobs over time
Manager, environmental and safety job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,732 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 16,589 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 17,564 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 19,633 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 19,173 | 0.01% |
Average manager, environmental and safety salary over time
Manager, environmental and safety salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $87,111 | $41.88 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $84,495 | $40.62 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $82,387 | $39.61 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $81,814 | $39.33 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $80,159 | $38.54 | +2.5% |
Manager, environmental and safety jobs by state
Most common states for managers, environmental and safety
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 101 | 15% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 91 | 12% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 87 | 12% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 133 | 10% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 517 | 8% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 251 | 8% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 554 | 7% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 234 | 7% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 99 | 7% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 79 | 7% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 608 | 6% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 505 | 6% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 453 | 6% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 121 | 6% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 59 | 6% |
| 16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 40 | 6% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,862 | 5% |
| 18 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 535 | 5% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 231 | 5% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 105 | 5% |
Most common cities for managers, environmental and safety
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinton | 1 | 4% | $68,889 |
| 2 | Rogers | 1 | 2% | $85,961 |
| 3 | Severn | 1 | 2% | $92,810 |
| 4 | Lakeland | 1 | 1% | $74,584 |
| 5 | Livermore | 1 | 1% | $113,224 |
| 6 | Overland Park | 1 | 1% | $69,713 |
| 7 | Pleasanton | 1 | 1% | $113,322 |
| 8 | San Ramon | 1 | 1% | $113,394 |
| 9 | Anaheim | 1 | 0% | $99,376 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $66,134 |
| 11 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $90,858 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $100,192 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh | 1 | 0% | $78,661 |
| 14 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $97,460 |
Manager, Environmental And Safety job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of manager, environmental and safety experts
University of Rhode Island
University of New Hampshire
New Mexico State University
University of Central Missouri
Elon University
Tarleton State University
Brown University
San Jose State University
North Carolina State University
NIOSH
Chatham University
IADLEST Member - International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
NMSU/Dona Ana Community College
Rutgers, The State University
Villanova University
Simona Trandafir
Associate Professor & Undergraduate Program DirectorUniversity of Rhode Island
Environmental/Natural Resources Management And Policy
What will help Managers, Environmental And Safety increase their earning potential?
Simona Trandafir: I would advise graduates to leverage the interdisciplinary nature of their studies. Utilize your understanding of both economic theory and environmental science to address complex sustainability issues. It's important to stay informed about current and emerging environmental policies and to develop an adaptive mindset to respond effectively to the dynamic nature of global environmental challenges. Engaging in continuous professional development and participating in industry conferences can also greatly benefit their career growth and networking opportunities.
What Manager, Environmental And Safety skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. James Malley Jr: Some of this is market driven by the type of employer (public versus private), the location of the job (major metropolitan area versus a more rural or smaller city), etc. In the foreseeable future due to Environmental Engineering becoming popular around 1970 there are many people approaching retirement age (“the silver tsunami”) so jobs will likely be plentiful which will help. So, to maximize starting salaries you will want to do your homework and study the different employers, regions, etc. to see what salary ranges are realistic. Then pursue the opportunities that have the higher starting salaries if that is your priority (clearly an Environmental Engineer working for a major industry such as gas and oil will have a higher starting salary offer than one working for municipal governments) and also carefully interview the firms when they invite you to interview to find out how they handle things like overtime, bonuses, salary review frequency, etc.
Geno Picchioni
ProfessorNew Mexico State University
Applied Horticulture And Horticultural Business Services
What will help Managers, Environmental And Safety increase their earning potential?
Geno Picchioni: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES. COMMUNITY BUILDING.
Wesley Tinker
Assistant Professor of SafetyUniversity of Central Missouri
Safety Sciences
What Manager, Environmental And Safety skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wesley Tinker: - In today's marketplace, the need for Safety Professionals is at an all-time high. With the ever-evolving methods and equipment across all industries, safety-related positions are being instituted to keep up with the introduction of the risks associated with the evolvement. Safety professionals impact the four quadrants of risk management involving finances, strategy, operations, and of course hazards. In previous years, the persona of duties associated with the Safety professional only impacted the hazards element but nowadays we can see how impactful they are on all four of those quadrants. With this level of involvement in the organization, the justification for a higher salary is made. Safety Professionals typically enter the field because they want to prevent people from becoming injured and/or ill but also the volume of positions along with the higher payscale than most 'fresh out of college' professions, allows for more opportunities.
Will Pluer Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of EngineeringElon University
Physics & Engineering Department
What soft skills should all Managers, Environmental And Safety possess?
Will Pluer Ph.D.: Within the job, time management is probably the most important. An employer will be impressed if you're finishing work before your deadlines. To get the job in the first place, professionalism is very important. Submit a clean and attractive resume with your application and then show up to an interview dressed for the job.
Kartik Venkataraman Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorTarleton State University
Department of Mechanical, Environmental and Civil Engineering
What soft skills should all Managers, Environmental And Safety possess?
Kartik Venkataraman Ph.D.: Being able to liaise with clients and contractors is perhaps the most important soft skill. The ability to play various roles in a team and also assume leadership will accelerate professional development and present more growth opportunities.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Managers, Environmental And Safety?
Dawn King Ph.D.: Students studying the environment should see an increase in the number of job opportunities (from public positions to private corporations and non-profit work). This was already in motion before our current federal focus on reducing greenhouse gases and social responsibility.
What technical skills for a Manager, Environmental And Safety stand out to employers?
Dawn King Ph.D.: I find that many technical skills can be taught, so employers often look for candidates with drive and those who can demonstrate they have good time management skills. Further, employers often ask me to speak to the candidate's ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
What's a good job out of college for Managers, Environmental And Safety?
Dawn King Ph.D.: In my opinion, a good job out of college helps the graduate build skill sets and networks toward their long-term goals. It need not be a permanent position or in the graduate's "area of expertise" to be beneficial. This could be as complex as learning new computer models or as mundane as learning what you don't want to do.
Christine Foster
Adjunct ProfessorSan Jose State University
Industrial Systems and Engineering Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Manager, Environmental And Safety job market given the pandemic?
Christine Foster: I believe that the pandemic will continue to drive opportunities for occupational safety work within the greater healthcare market, and more specifically in hospitals and clinics as well as biotech/pharma. I also have seen an increased demand for safety professionals overall, as many aspects of the pandemic have driven home the need for safety in industries that have not typically had a focus in this area. Examples of this include food and beverage, where there have been significant outbreaks during the pandemic, and food service where there is great risk for exposure during eating and drinking activities. Regulatory changes will also continue to increase demand for occupational safety expertise.
What skills stand out on Manager, Environmental And Safety resumes?
Christine Foster: From a skills perspective, I look for strong written and verbal communication skills. This includes making sure that the resume is grammatically solid and free from spelling errors. This is a first impression, and one that may make the difference between getting an interview or not. Specific experience that is important includes risk assessment/analysis, regulatory interpretation, data analysis, and project management. So much of what we do in occupational safety is assessing risk and then translating that into recommendations that are then managed to execution. Today's safety professional needs to be able to do all of these things well.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Managers, Environmental And Safety to find work opportunities?
Christine Foster: For geographic areas that will be best for jobs, I would say the jobs will follow the industry trends I mentioned above. Areas with a concentration of biopharma, including the Bay Area, New Jersey, Boston, North Carolina, and Seattle will likely continue to see high demand for safety professionals.
For those entering the field, consulting firms are a great place to begin a career, with many opportunities for new graduates and an ability to learn the field in a variety of industry applications.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Managers, Environmental And Safety in the next 3-5 years?
Frederik Laleicke Ph.D.: Natural and sustainable materials play an essential role in creating modern, human-centered environments and will be of increasing importance in the future. Over the past decades, industrial processes have been improved to produce high performing and reliable products from natural resources. The challenges lie in preserving the natural variability that makes biomaterials, such as wood, appealing, and staying within standards, safety margins, and product specifications. The advanced technology employed will require fewer, but more knowledgeable, workers and managers that understand the capabilities and limitations of the produced technical processes and products.
An excellent example of where these challenges have been solved using modern technologies is mass timber. Large wooden panels are premanufactured in semi-automated processes, and CNC technology cuts each of them to an exact fit. Relatively new in the U.S., mass timber engineering, manufacturing, and use are currently being fine-tuned to meet the requirements of growing markets. In future years, the design-for-disassembly will move into focus when end-of-life considerations for wood-based construction draw more attention.
These developments offer numerous opportunities for employees with diverse skillsets, such as engineers, technologists, analysts, and marketing/business experts. However, they all have in common an in-depth understanding of sustainability concepts and a sense of environmental responsibility. Whatever the specialty of our graduates, they will match one of many different roles in the economy of sustainable materials.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Managers, Environmental And Safety?
Dr. John Howard: Recent graduates beginning a career in occupational safety and health will find the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the critical role of workplace safety and the health and occupational safety and health practitioners - not just in health care but in industries nationwide. Workers are the backbone of our nation that keep us moving ahead, even in the face of unprecedented threats, such as the one we face today. The importance of taking proactive steps to ensure they have the safety equipment and the training they need to perform work safely and remain healthy is clearer than ever.
Dr. Thomas Macagno Ph.D.
Program Director of SustainabilityChatham University
Falk School of Sustainability and Environment
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Managers, Environmental And Safety in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Thomas Macagno Ph.D.: AI and Data management will continue to grow. These are essential areas for sustainability, where data supports making more sustainable decisions. People or soft skills will also be necessary. As technology changes, people need to help to adapt behaviors. This will happen in many areas, from energy to transportation.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Managers, Environmental And Safety in the next 3-5 years?
Linsay Hale: Law enforcement, like most job fields, is continually evolving to reflect technological advancements. I would say, again generally speaking, that transparency and accountability of those employed in police and corrections are at the forefront of the national social and political discussion, as is the safety of the men and women choosing to work in those professions and the safety of community members (whether they be incarcerated or not). As such, I suppose that any tool or technologies developed to further those initiatives will increase in popularity and prevalence.
Alfred Lujan
Assistant ProfessorNMSU/Dona Ana Community College
Public Services Department, Fire Science Program
What type of skills will young Managers, Environmental And Safety need?
Alfred Lujan: Most fire departments require or prefer candidates with a current Emergency Medical Technician-Basic license at a minimum.
Many fire departments require a minimum of a Firefighter I IFSAC or Pro Board certification, and it is a prerequisite Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Managers, Environmental And Safety to find work opportunities?
Alfred Lujan: No, most municipalities and counties in the US have fire departments, and personnel is frequently hired due to regular attrition. Pay varies, however, depending on the area.
Frank Gallagher Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Professional Practice Director, Environmental Planning ProgramRutgers, The State University
Department of Landscape Architecture
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Managers, Environmental And Safety to find work opportunities?
Frank Gallagher Ph.D.: Unfortunately, it is not a good time to be in the job market. However, as today's students have greater IT skills, and remote work has increased, perhaps the location will not be as important.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Managers, Environmental And Safety in the next 3-5 years?
Andrea Welker Ph.D.: Virtual/augmented reality will play an increasingly important role in visualizing designs and interacting with them.