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Job outlook for safety analysts in the United States
Safety analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected safety analyst job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 7,500 new jobs for safety analysts are projected over the next decade.
Safety analyst salaries have increased -15% for safety analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,340 safety analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 14,441 active safety analyst job openings in the US.
The average safety analyst salary is $52,060.
Are safety analyst jobs in demand?
Safety analyst job and salary trends over time
Safety analyst jobs over time
Safety analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,340 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,632 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 8,299 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 21,456 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 19,742 | 0.01% |
Average safety analyst salary over time
Safety analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,060 | $25.03 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $50,253 | $24.16 | --20.3% |
| 2023 | $63,026 | $30.30 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $61,956 | $29.79 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | $61,213 | $29.43 | +1.0% |
Safety analyst jobs by state
Most common states for safety analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 143 | 21% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 675 | 8% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 386 | 6% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 385 | 6% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 47 | 6% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 43 | 6% |
| 7 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 530 | 5% |
| 8 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 491 | 5% |
| 9 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 289 | 5% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 266 | 5% |
| 11 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 258 | 5% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 167 | 5% |
| 13 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 81 | 5% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 71 | 5% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 51 | 5% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 46 | 5% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,497 | 4% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 456 | 4% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 172 | 4% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 147 | 4% |
Most common cities for safety analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Chicago | 1 | 3% | $51,727 |
| 2 | East Hartford | 1 | 2% | $69,180 |
| 3 | Glenview | 1 | 2% | $51,322 |
| 4 | Idaho Falls | 1 | 2% | $40,702 |
| 5 | San Bruno | 1 | 2% | $68,296 |
| 6 | Longmont | 1 | 1% | $41,882 |
| 7 | Rancho Cordova | 1 | 1% | $67,659 |
| 8 | Savannah | 1 | 1% | $38,303 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | 1 | 1% | $67,930 |
| 10 | Warren | 1 | 1% | $61,387 |
| 11 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $55,768 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $63,030 |
| 13 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $36,228 |
| 14 | Long Beach | 1 | 0% | $58,462 |
| 15 | New Orleans | 1 | 0% | $41,267 |
| 16 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $68,354 |
Safety Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of safety analyst experts
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University of Central Missouri
University of California, Irvine
San Jose State University
NIOSH
IADLEST Member - International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
NMSU/Dona Ana Community College
What general advice would you give to a Safety Analyst?
Andy Perry MS, CSP: It is recommended that students seek different internships with a variety of employers, and possibly varied industries, leading up to graduation. Although ISU’s Safety Management program requires one 300-hour internship for graduation, accepting two or three during the undergraduate program provides experience, income, and looks more appealing to employers. Attending local, regional, and national safety conferences, professional development courses, and seeking professional designations and certifications is also helpful to new safety professionals. Conference and courses will better their knowledge about their field, but also allow networking with other safety professionals. New graduates of ISU’s Safety Management program may apply for the Board of Certified Safety Professional’s (BCSP’s) Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation. The GSP allows them to bypass taking the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) exam as well as saving them the time and money to study/prepare for that exam. The GSP and ASP are a step on the way to the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential which is viewed as the gold standard for safety professionals. ISU Safey Management graduates also may apply for the Associate Safety & Health Manager (ASHM) credential through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). There is also a Student version (ST-ASHM) they may apply for prior to graduation. The ASHM is a step on the way to the Certified Safety & Health Manager (CSHM) credential.
What general advice would you give to a Safety Analyst?
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 Safety Analyst 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.
Wesley Tinker
Assistant Professor of SafetyUniversity of Central Missouri
Safety Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Safety Analyst?
Wesley Tinker: - 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.
What Safety Analyst 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.
What will help Safety Analysts 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.
David Feldman Ph.D.
Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy and Political Science, Director, Water UCI, Director, MPP ProgramUniversity of California, Irvine
Urban Planning and Public Policy
What skills stand out on Safety Analyst resumes?
David Feldman Ph.D.: Succinct writing, critical thinking, strong quantitative analytical skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Safety Analysts?
David Feldman Ph.D.: Quantitative analytical skills.
Christine Foster
Adjunct ProfessorSan Jose State University
Industrial Systems and Engineering Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Safety Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Christine Foster: I believe that the pandemic will continue to drive opportunities for occupational safety work within the greater healthcare market, and more specifically in hospitals and clinics as well as biotech/pharma. I also have seen an increased demand for safety professionals overall, as many aspects of the pandemic have driven home the need for safety in industries that have not typically had a focus in this area. Examples of this include food and beverage, where there have been significant outbreaks during the pandemic, and food service where there is great risk for exposure during eating and drinking activities. Regulatory changes will also continue to increase demand for occupational safety expertise.
What skills stand out on Safety Analyst resumes?
Christine Foster: From a skills perspective, I look for strong written and verbal communication skills. This includes making sure that the resume is grammatically solid and free from spelling errors. This is a first impression, and one that may make the difference between getting an interview or not. Specific experience that is important includes risk assessment/analysis, regulatory interpretation, data analysis, and project management. So much of what we do in occupational safety is assessing risk and then translating that into recommendations that are then managed to execution. Today's safety professional needs to be able to do all of these things well.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Safety Analysts to find work opportunities?
Christine Foster: For geographic areas that will be best for jobs, I would say the jobs will follow the industry trends I mentioned above. Areas with a concentration of biopharma, including the Bay Area, New Jersey, Boston, North Carolina, and Seattle will likely continue to see high demand for safety professionals.
For those entering the field, consulting firms are a great place to begin a career, with many opportunities for new graduates and an ability to learn the field in a variety of industry applications.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Safety Analysts?
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.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Safety Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Linsay Hale: The most glaring impact of COVID-19 on the job market is lean towards telework and virtual offices. Public safety, corrections included, is not and will not be impacted by this trend since ensuring the safety and security of a courtroom's correctional facility requires an in-person presence.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Safety Analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Linsay Hale: Law enforcement, like most job fields, is continually evolving to reflect technological advancements. I would say, again generally speaking, that transparency and accountability of those employed in police and corrections are at the forefront of the national social and political discussion, as is the safety of the men and women choosing to work in those professions and the safety of community members (whether they be incarcerated or not). As such, I suppose that any tool or technologies developed to further those initiatives will increase in popularity and prevalence.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Safety Analysts in the next 5 years?
Linsay Hale: I don't know that a POST agency best answers this question. Our agency (Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training) is responsible for training and certifying public safety officers, to include corrections officers. But we don't hire corrections officers. While we know, through registrations into the Basic Corrections Course, that employed Oregon corrections officers are required to attend, there is always a need for qualified corrections officers. Still, I would suggest posing this question to agencies responsible for hiring those officers. The employment requirements (including what level of education is required) is at their discretion. They would also be best suited to weigh whether or not they see an increase or decrease in demand coming.
Alfred Lujan
Assistant ProfessorNMSU/Dona Ana Community College
Public Services Department, Fire Science Program
What type of skills will young Safety Analysts need?
Alfred Lujan: Most fire departments require or prefer candidates with a current Emergency Medical Technician-Basic license at a minimum.
Many fire departments require a minimum of a Firefighter I IFSAC or Pro Board certification, and it is a prerequisite Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Safety Analysts to find work opportunities?
Alfred Lujan: No, most municipalities and counties in the US have fire departments, and personnel is frequently hired due to regular attrition. Pay varies, however, depending on the area.
How do you envision technology impacting Safety Analysts in the next 5 years?
Alfred Lujan: Technology advancements are prevalent in emergency services, like everywhere else. In the next five years, I envision GPS technology to play a vital role in the dispatch of and location navigation for emergency services units and personnel tracking in the hot zone. Technology will also likely play a role in improving communication and connectivity between emergency response agencies.
Things like biotelemetry, simulation training, advancements in personal protective equipment, and advances in apparatus and equipment technology will continue to evolve in making firefighters more effective and efficient.