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Job outlook for product safety specialists in the United States
Are product safety specialist jobs in demand?
Product safety specialist job and salary trends over time
Product safety specialist jobs over time
Product safety specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 54 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 137 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 154 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 141 | 0.00% |
Average product safety specialist salary over time
Product safety specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $78,152 | $37.57 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $75,439 | $36.27 | --20.3% |
| 2024 | $94,613 | $45.49 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $93,006 | $44.71 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $91,892 | $44.18 | +1.0% |
Product safety specialist jobs by state
Most common states for product safety specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 211 | 34% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 334 | 25% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,654 | 20% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,126 | 20% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,091 | 20% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 148 | 20% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 113 | 20% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 142 | 19% |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 130 | 19% |
| 10 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,836 | 18% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 579 | 18% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,747 | 17% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 978 | 17% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 330 | 17% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,130 | 16% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,980 | 15% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 922 | 15% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 428 | 15% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 131 | 15% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 189 | 14% |
Most common cities for product safety specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holland | 1 | 3% | $88,234 |
| 2 | Pensacola | 1 | 2% | $69,828 |
| 3 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $88,782 |
| 4 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $97,050 |
Product Safety Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of product safety specialist experts
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University of Central Missouri
NIOSH
What will help Product Safety Specialists increase their earning potential?
Andy Perry MS, CSP: Ask lots of questions. There are no dumb questions. Tell people when you don’t know the answer. You can always look it up later and get back to them. Guessing or misremembering can cause problems down the road. Document any recommendations made to your employer to keep a record of things for future reference.
What general advice would you give to a Product Safety Specialist?
Dr. Nick Nichols Professor: Obtain as many certifications as you can. Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs) are certainly in demand, but other certifications such as first responder training, confined space training, OSHA General Industry, Construction Safety and Recordkeeping certifications will make entrants more marketable to potential employers. It will also make them more flexible if they should decide to seek out new opportunities in the field. Additionally, the ability to speak fluid Spanish is more and more becoming a job requirement for many employers. As I often tell many of my advisees, "if you decide to learn the Spanish language, you will enhance your opportunities for competitive positions and salaries almost exponentially."
What Product Safety Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Nick Nichols Professor: In my opinion, in the field of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) the first and foremost skill that both entry-level and veteran workers in the field must cultivate is the ability to get along well with people. ALL TYPES of people. From the most reluctant to participate in safety, to the most eager. Regardless of what area of the field OSH professionals choose, at some point they must deal with multiple types of personalities. Be flexible, sharpen your soft skills, and be prepared to face both negative and positive attitudes toward the field with the utmost professionalism. Beyond that, the rise of technology and social media in the field can't be ignored. From the use of drones to conduct safety inspections (both at the federal government and corporate levels) to the need to network via social media with other safety professionals, organizations, and governmental entities, entrants into the field must be technically proficient interacting with technology all along this spectrum. Additionally, proficiency with these types of technologies will enable them to successfully utilize the ever-evolving equipment a safety professional must utilize to perform the practical work they must complete effectively in the field on a regular basis.
What will help Product Safety Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Nick Nichols Professor: Don't let salary be your only guide. Choose an area of the field that you are most interested in, and that will provide you with a positive atmosphere for growth and protecting employees (our overriding goal). The bonuses, promotions and other perks will come eventually, due to the passion you exhibit for what you do. Conversely, if you find yourself in a "bait and switch" situation (a negative motivational environment), be prepared to "warm up your resume."
Wesley Tinker
Assistant Professor of SafetyUniversity of Central Missouri
Safety Sciences
What Product Safety Specialist 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 there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Product Safety Specialists?
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.