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The differences between product safety managers and safety supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a product safety manager, becoming a safety supervisor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a product safety manager has an average salary of $79,337, which is higher than the $65,392 average annual salary of a safety supervisor.
The top three skills for a product safety manager include risk assessments, FDA and EU. The most important skills for a safety supervisor are OSHA, safety procedures, and safety program.
Product safety managers will need skills in producing reports and policies, knowledge of data analysis and risk assessment, understanding of health and safety guidelines, and a good deal of motivation for this career choice. They will be called upon to evaluate products to ensure safety, as well as investigate causes for accidents, injuries, or illnesses due to product usage, in order to develop solutions to minimize or prevent their recurrence.
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.
Product safety managers and safety supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Product Safety Manager | Safety Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $79,337 | $65,392 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $138,000 | Between $43,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | Cargill |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a product safety manager and a safety supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Product Safety Manager | Safety Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between product safety managers' and safety supervisors' demographics:
| Product Safety Manager | Safety Supervisor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.4% Female, 36.6% | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 10.8% White, 68.6% 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% |