Program safety manager vs safety officer

The differences between program safety managers and safety officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a program safety manager, becoming a safety officer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a program safety manager has an average salary of $81,116, which is higher than the $46,336 average annual salary of a safety officer.

The top three skills for a program safety manager include safety program, OSHA and corrective action. The most important skills for a safety officer are OSHA, patients, and patrol.

Program safety manager vs safety officer overview

	Program Safety Manager	Safety Officer
Yearly salary	$81,116	$46,336
Hourly rate	$39.00	$22.28
Growth rate	4%	6%
Number of jobs	100,044	68,487
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	2	6

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 officer do?

A safety officer specializes in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for employees in a building or establishment. Aside from adhering to the safety standards and regulations within a company, a safety officer also has to craft and improve policies that prioritize the physical and mental health of workers. Furthermore, it is essential to implement safety programs by educating workers on various precautionary measures, performing regular inspections of equipment and machines, and ensuring the proper disposal of any hazardous waste materials.

Program safety manager vs safety officer salary

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

	Program Safety Manager	Safety Officer
Average salary	$81,116	$46,336
Salary range	Between $56,000 And $116,000	Between $29,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	San Bruno, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	NVIDIA	Amgen
Best paying industry	Technology	Government

Differences between program safety manager and safety officer education

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

	Program Safety Manager	Safety Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	California State University - Bakersfield

Program safety manager vs safety officer demographics

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

	Program Safety Manager	Safety Officer
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%	Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2%
Race ratio	Black 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, 9.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	4%	7%

Differences between program safety manager and safety officer 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.

Safety officer example responsibilities.

Manage safety coordination with EHS and owner representatives.
Manage and facilitate extensive Safety/Security and HAZMAT training for all personnel.
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations to include OSHA and NFPA guidelines.
Prepare clients for ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification.
Maintain cleanliness of all equipment for maintenance and inspections.
Give applicants full CDL exam and submit appropriate paperwork to DDS.

Program safety manager vs safety officer skills

Common program safety manager skills

Safety Program, 14%
OSHA, 8%
Corrective Action, 6%
Oversight, 6%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Patient Safety, 4%

Common safety officer skills

OSHA, 8%
Patients, 7%
Patrol, 6%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Safety Program, 5%
Risk Management, 4%

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Program Safety Manager
Program Safety Manager vs Safety Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

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