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The differences between process safety engineers and safety engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a process safety engineer and a safety engineer. Additionally, a process safety engineer has an average salary of $84,412, which is higher than the $74,228 average annual salary of a safety engineer.
The top three skills for a process safety engineer include safety management, OSHA and risk management. The most important skills for a safety engineer are OSHA, safety standards, and safety program.
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,412 | $74,228 |
| Hourly rate | $40.58 | $35.69 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 38,650 | 16,617 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A process safety engineer is responsible for conducting quality check procedures for the operational processes of the manufacturing and construction industries. Process safety engineers analyze practices to ensure that the methodologies adhere to safety standards and state regulations. They also inspect the tools and materials used, the budget needed for production, and timetables to strategize efficient ways in minimizing costs and risks. A process safety engineer records the process findings and suggests technical solutions to maximize productivity.
The duties of a safety engineer depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the implementation of the safety policies and regulations in a company by conducting regular inspections and maintenance checks, coordinating with department personnel to gather data, assessing risks, and arranging precautionary measures. A safety engineer must also address issues and concerns, responding to them in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, there are instances when they have to lead safety orientations and seminars to maintain a safe and productive environment for everyone.
Process safety engineers and safety engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,412 | $74,228 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $129,000 | Between $49,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | Orange, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | California Resources | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a process safety engineer and a safety engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between process safety engineers' and safety engineers' demographics:
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 12.6% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |