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What is a project safety manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Wesley Tinker
introduction image

These experts support all safety efforts on the project and promote a safety culture. They recommend the modification, improvement, or removal of any company equipment, facilities, or machinery that is harmful to the safety or health of the employees. They ensure contractor activities are safely preplanned and compliant with the company's safety policies. Also, they provide safety training to project teams on the company, client, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.

A bachelor's degree or higher in safety management or a related discipline is preferred by employers. Applicants must also have at least ten years of related work experience. Having relevant certifications is a plus. You'll need management, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to succeed in this role. You must be conversant with Microsoft Office. Also, you must have extensive knowledge of construction safety principles, techniques, and methods.

Project safety managers are paid an average of $81,376 annually. The salary range varies between $57,000 and $117,000.

What general advice would you give to a project safety manager?

Wesley Tinker

Assistant Professor of Safety, University of Central Missouri

- The day-to-day duties of a Safety Professional depend on the industry they currently work in but also the level of tenure they have in the organization. There is a long list of duties but the following allow for a broad sweep across an average day. The schedule of a typical workday could start with a toolbox talk which allows for a brief 'heads-up' to a vast array of safety-related topics or issues that workers have the possibility of seeing on-site. Field audits would be another crucial duty to examine the site for new safety-related issues and to monitor controls set on previously identified hazards. Conducting pieces of training for new workers and/or updates on safety-related issues on their site. Accident investigations are one of the random unexpected duties a Safety Professional might conduct, which is important in the prevention of future injuries and illnesses. Providing good customer service toward the workers and management but also the organization's vendors is critical for nearly all aspects of that company. Customer service is closely connected to the culture of the company as the majority of industry leaders provide a 'Safety First' environment. Overall, the Safety Professional provides many attributes to the day-to-day functions of many organizations. These attributes directly impact that company's stance in the overall global marketplace.
ScoreProject Safety ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.6

Avg. Salary $100,955

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.2

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 9.70%

Black or African American 4.81%

Hispanic or Latino 11.82%

Unknown 3.96%

White 69.53%

Gender

female 12.25%

male 87.75%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
7.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Project safety manager career paths

Key steps to become a project safety manager

  1. Explore project safety manager education requirements

    Most common project safety manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    61.0 %

    Associate

    18.1 %

    Master's

    10.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific project safety manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    OSHA9.17%
    Safety Program7.53%
    Project Safety6.99%
    Safety Standards6.17%
    Site Safety5.25%
  3. Complete relevant project safety manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New project safety managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a project safety manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real project safety manager resumes.
  4. Research project safety manager duties and responsibilities

    • Achieve EPA approve closure of the chemical waste treatment plant through manufacturing process restructuring.
    • Collaborate with cross-functional team to successfully achieve initial ISO 14001certification.
    • Conduct weekly focuse inspections and audits on safety elements with different contractors to confirm compliance with project and GE EHS requirements.
    • Coordinate compliance visits by environmental agencies, OSHA inspections and utility inspections.
  5. Prepare your project safety manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your project safety manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a project safety manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable project safety manager resume templates

    Build a professional project safety manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your project safety manager resume.
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    Project Safety Manager Resume
    Project Safety Manager Resume
    Project Safety Manager Resume
    Project Safety Manager Resume
    Project Safety Manager Resume
    Project Safety Manager Resume
  6. Apply for project safety manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a project safety manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first project safety manager job

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Average project safety manager salary

The average project safety manager salary in the United States is $100,955 per year or $49 per hour. Project safety manager salaries range between $72,000 and $140,000 per year.

Average project safety manager salary
$100,955 Yearly
$48.54 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do project safety managers rate their job?

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Project safety manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Pros

You have the satisfaction of keeping the employees safe and you know that higher management gives you support. If you go through an OSHA inspection you are confident that you've done your due diligence.

Cons

It takes time to implement and see the safety culture grow.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoy problem-solving and identifying a path to completing a complex project. I like to ensure that moving parts come together smoothly and communicating successes and celebrating with the team.

Cons

Without the right support from project sponsors, a project manager is doomed to failure. There is an enormous amount of responsibility on a project manager to deliver a product on time and on budget, though without proper authority or backing, it's basically wheel spinning.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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