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Job outlook for program safety managers in the United States
Program safety manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected program safety manager job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 800 new jobs for program safety managers are projected over the next decade.
Program safety manager salaries have increased 9% for program safety managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,246 program safety managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 100,044 active program safety manager job openings in the US.
The average program safety manager salary is $81,116.
Are program safety manager jobs in demand?
Program safety manager job and salary trends over time
Program safety manager jobs over time
Program safety manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,246 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 6,495 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,063 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,164 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,136 | 0.00% |
Average program safety manager salary over time
Program safety manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $81,116 | $39.00 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $78,680 | $37.83 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $76,718 | $36.88 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $76,184 | $36.63 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $74,643 | $35.89 | +2.5% |
Program safety manager jobs by state
Most common states for program safety managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 479 | 69% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,815 | 38% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 214 | 28% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 298 | 22% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 237 | 22% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 208 | 22% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,762 | 21% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 814 | 20% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 212 | 20% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 576 | 19% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,245 | 18% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 934 | 17% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 932 | 17% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 606 | 17% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 309 | 16% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 273 | 16% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,307 | 15% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 898 | 15% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 128 | 15% |
| 20 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,373 | 14% |
Most common cities for program safety managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Fernando | 1 | 4% | $123,305 |
| 2 | Bowling Green | 1 | 2% | $71,496 |
| 3 | Bremerton | 1 | 2% | $82,285 |
| 4 | Leesburg | 1 | 2% | $81,582 |
| 5 | San Bruno | 1 | 2% | $139,365 |
| 6 | Waltham | 1 | 2% | $92,759 |
| 7 | Tallahassee | 1 | 1% | $72,696 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $121,750 |
| 9 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $80,211 |
Program Safety Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of program safety manager experts
University of Central Missouri
Freed-Hardeman University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Western Carolina University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Maryville University
Wesley Tinker
Assistant Professor of SafetyUniversity of Central Missouri
Safety Sciences
What will help Program Safety Managers increase their earning potential?
Wesley Tinker: - Most dislikes are typically initial as they are mostly during the time needed to adapt to the organizational structure and procedures. Desensitization to certain aspects such as public speaking and conflict resolution is needed, as those skills will assist them heavily in their future in safety. Another dislike could be the individual not enjoying the development of safety loss control programs, but these documents are the backbone to which they enforce compliance and explain all elements related to worker and infrastructure safety. - There are many more 'likes' associated with being in safety than 'dislikes'. Safety Professionals can expect a very rewarding career personally, financially, and professionally as they typically enjoy a great work/life balance, maintaining a lucrative career which the majority of organizations start them at salaries ranging from $70,000 to $95,000, and several developmental aspects associated with being an active Safety Professional.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Safety Managers?
Kristen Roberson: The workplace will forever be altered due to the pandemic, and the effects of those in career transitions, not just those graduating now, will be impacted for some time. It will take some time for the new normal to be normal.
Brett Lehman Ph.D.
ProfessorAuburn University at Montgomery
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Program Safety Managers?
Brett Lehman Ph.D.: Sociology students with research and public speaking experience will have improved job prospects. This could be developed in many courses, though some core areas for us are Research Methods and Statistics. Most employers collect and analyze data of some kind. Then they have to organize the results properly and present the findings to a variety of audiences. Any course that require students to do their own projects, make difficult decisions, justify those decisions, and then explain the results give students a leg up in critical thinking skills and much more. Students might also have similar experiences through community service, independent/supervised research projects, or an internship.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Safety Managers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: While jobs may be slower to return to the capacity pre-Covid, the industry and tourism employment will rebound as people still want to travel and explore diverse foods, cultures, and experiences. However, the enduring impact will be the rapid onset of technology that allowed for limited contact with employees and others has become the new norm. Although human interaction is an important aspect of service in the tourism industry, employers have found that they can reduce the number of personal interactions but still deliver an acceptable level of quality service. What would have taken years to adopt, COVID created an amplified adoption.
What soft skills should all Program Safety Managers possess?
TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.: Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant ProfessorMaryville University
Speech-Language Pathology
What's a day at work look like for a Program Safety Manager?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!