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The differences between process safety engineers and safety supervisors 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 supervisor. Additionally, a process safety engineer has an average salary of $84,412, which is higher than the $65,392 average annual salary of a safety supervisor.
The top three skills for a process safety engineer include safety management, OSHA and risk management. The most important skills for a safety supervisor are OSHA, safety procedures, and safety program.
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $84,412 | $65,392 |
| Hourly rate | $40.58 | $31.44 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 38,650 | 16,481 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| 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.
A safety supervisor is responsible for monitoring the overall operations of a production, ensuring the safety and security of everyone, and enforcing strict regulations and protocols. Safety supervisors organize safety orientations and training for the workers, as well as reiterating disciplinary measures and policies and procedures during meetings. They inspect the workplace, including the maintenance of tools and equipment, immediately calling for repair for any defective items found. A safety supervisor also assists with the investigation of workplace hazards to prevent such complications in the future.
Process safety engineers and safety supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $84,412 | $65,392 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $129,000 | Between $43,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Orange, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | California Resources | Cargill |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a process safety engineer and a safety supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between process safety engineers' and safety supervisors' demographics:
| Process Safety Engineer | Safety Supervisor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% |
| 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, 11.8% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |