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Safety inspector vs safety instructor

The differences between safety inspectors and safety instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a safety inspector and a safety instructor. Additionally, a safety inspector has an average salary of $48,765, which is higher than the $29,977 average annual salary of a safety instructor.

The top three skills for a safety inspector include OSHA, safety procedures and safety inspections. The most important skills for a safety instructor are CPR, customer service, and powerpoint.

Safety inspector vs safety instructor overview

Safety InspectorSafety Instructor
Yearly salary$48,765$29,977
Hourly rate$23.44$14.41
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs30,19338,602
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a safety inspector do?

A safety inspector is in charge of performing inspections to ensure that workplaces comply with the company or government's safety standards and regulations. Their responsibilities include inspecting tools and equipment, reviewing documents and specifications, assessing the workforce performances and conditions, observing facilities, and ensuring that employees have protective gear and safety measure knowledge. Moreover, a safety inspector utilizes the findings of their observation to recommend methods that will help workplaces maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone. They may also investigate workplace incidents to keep them from happening again.

What does a safety instructor do?

The duties and responsibilities include coordinating classes on safety procedures, advising management on problems and possible solutions, and meeting safety compliance requirements.

Safety inspector vs safety instructor salary

Safety inspectors and safety instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Safety InspectorSafety Instructor
Average salary$48,765$29,977
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $69,000Between $20,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyVolkert-
Best paying industryEnergy-

Differences between safety inspector and safety instructor education

There are a few differences between a safety inspector and a safety instructor in terms of educational background:

Safety InspectorSafety Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Safety inspector vs safety instructor demographics

Here are the differences between safety inspectors' and safety instructors' demographics:

Safety InspectorSafety Instructor
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 82.1% Female, 17.9%Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between safety inspector and safety instructor duties and responsibilities

Safety inspector example responsibilities.

  • Assist with ergonomics assessments, assist in managing HAZMAT and chemical storage programs, and evaluate fire prevention plans.
  • Complete workshop and laboratory equipment safety for all university buildings for compliance with OSHA and other appropriate regulations.
  • Investigate and document incidents using accurate and industry relate terminology to protect against lawsuits and to provide OSHA with additional information.
  • Upgrade and assist with the maintenance of the facility MSDS system, in particular the raw material MSDS's.
  • Detail record keeping of JSAs, tool, ladder and PPE inspections.
  • Participate in new equipment planning and installation team activities to include PSM processes documentation and validation i.e.

Safety instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and facilitate extensive Safety/Security and HAZMAT training for all personnel.
  • Instruct various types of offshore safety course including firefighting, forklift safety, water survival, and CPR
  • Develop and present PowerPoint presentations.
  • Cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry and biology including cell biology, metabolism, microbiology, genetics, evolution and histology.
  • Assist with safety and MSHA inspections at mine site.
  • Simplify processes for onboarding new hires and communicating training requirements to regular employees automatically through LMS.

Safety inspector vs safety instructor skills

Common safety inspector skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Safety Inspections, 6%
  • Fire Protection, 5%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
  • Contractor Safety, 4%
Common safety instructor skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • PowerPoint, 9%
  • Course Materials, 9%
  • Safety Courses, 7%
  • OSHA, 6%

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