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Program safety manager vs safety engineer

The differences between program safety managers 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 program safety manager and a safety engineer. Additionally, a program safety manager has an average salary of $81,116, which is higher than the $74,228 average annual salary of a safety engineer.

The top three skills for a program safety manager include safety program, OSHA and corrective action. The most important skills for a safety engineer are OSHA, safety standards, and safety program.

Program safety manager vs safety engineer overview

Program Safety ManagerSafety Engineer
Yearly salary$81,116$74,228
Hourly rate$39.00$35.69
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs100,04416,617
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a program safety manager do?

A program safety manager is someone who manages and provides oversight of an organization's safety program. Program safety managers plan, enforce, and conduct preventive care, safety, and compliance training programs. The managers manage and maintain comprehensive environmental health and safety programs at project site locations or premises. They oversee all the aspects of industrial and safety hygiene for compliance with the NFPA, API, and OSHA standards. Also, they conduct hyperbaric chamber fire safety drills for staff response improvement.

What does a safety engineer do?

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.

Program safety manager vs safety engineer salary

Program safety managers and safety engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program Safety ManagerSafety Engineer
Average salary$81,116$74,228
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $116,000Between $49,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySan Bruno, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyNVIDIAApple
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between program safety manager and safety engineer education

There are a few differences between a program safety manager and a safety engineer in terms of educational background:

Program Safety ManagerSafety Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Program safety manager vs safety engineer demographics

Here are the differences between program safety managers' and safety engineers' demographics:

Program Safety ManagerSafety Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 74.4% Female, 25.6%Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.7% 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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between program safety manager and safety engineer duties and responsibilities

Program safety manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage the procurement program of personal protective equipment; ensure adequate protection of workers and ensure OSHA compliance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional team to successfully achieve initial ISO 14001certification.
  • Maintain all OSHA data and update company programs to adhere to policy.
  • Conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward EHS organizational objectives.
  • Partner with various departments to ensure relevant EHS training is successfully implement.
  • Provide oversight and technical guidance to facilities, systems, associate support equipment and operations to ensure adherence to safety guidelines.
  • Show more

Safety engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage hazardous and special waste programs and profiles including audits/inspections, vendor compliance, documentation and recordkeeping.
  • Develop SWPPP and SPCC programs.
  • Design new Lockout/Tag-out (LOTO) system for production floor and facilities.
  • Direct subcontractors in safely deploying spill response equipment to enforce EPA / TDEQ regulations.
  • Provide safety support for construction projects -Conduct audits for LOTO, environmental, IH surveys, safe work practices etc.
  • Create site-specific EHS orientations for contractors.
  • Show more

Program safety manager vs safety engineer skills

Common program safety manager skills
  • Safety Program, 14%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Corrective Action, 6%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Patient Safety, 4%
Common safety engineer skills
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Safety Regulations, 4%
  • ISO, 4%
  • Corrective Action, 4%

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