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Safety engineer vs health and safety manager

The differences between safety engineers and health and safety managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a safety engineer and a health and safety manager. Additionally, a health and safety manager has an average salary of $85,606, which is higher than the $74,228 average annual salary of a safety engineer.

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

Safety engineer vs health and safety manager overview

Safety EngineerHealth And Safety Manager
Yearly salary$74,228$85,606
Hourly rate$35.69$41.16
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs16,61771,325
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

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.

What does a health and safety manager do?

Health and Safety Managers oversee the company's compliance with occupational health and safety guidelines set by both governing bodies and company policies. They create company policies based on guidelines released by regulatory bodies. They also ensure that everyone follows these policies in the office. Health and safety managers are in charge of inspecting the workplace and ensuring no health hazards in the area. They are also in charge of signing off on materials and equipment used in the office to ensure that they are safe to use. Health and Safety Managers train health and safety officers to ensure that the same standard is applied to the department.

Safety engineer vs health and safety manager salary

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

Safety EngineerHealth And Safety Manager
Average salary$74,228$85,606
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $110,000Between $62,000 And $117,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaLouisiana
Best paying companyAppleThe Walt Disney Company
Best paying industryTechnologyEnergy

Differences between safety engineer and health and safety manager education

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

Safety EngineerHealth And Safety Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutStanford University

Safety engineer vs health and safety manager demographics

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

Safety EngineerHealth And Safety Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 81.6% Female, 18.4%Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 9.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between safety engineer and health and safety manager duties and responsibilities

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

Health and safety manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead district to earn distinction as first location in the company to adhere to rigorous EPA guidelines for hazardous materials handling.
  • Lead EHS management systems audits, conduct industrial hygiene evaluations, coordinate MSDS development and deliver EHS site-specific training.
  • Focuse on achieving the highest levels of HSE performance through behavior-base initiatives, auditing, mentoring and expeditiously implementing change.
  • Work with business units to identify opportunities for EHS improvement and develop and implement effective EHS management systems and best practices.
  • Assess payloads to assure compliance with NASA safety requirements.
  • Perform hazard analyses and safety assessments of NASA rocket motor tests, industrial facilities and operations.
  • Show more

Safety engineer vs health and safety manager skills

Common safety engineer skills
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Safety Regulations, 4%
  • ISO, 4%
  • Corrective Action, 4%
Common health and safety manager skills
  • EHS, 6%
  • Corrective Action, 5%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • Management System, 4%
  • EPA, 3%

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