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Job outlook for safety instructors in the United States
Safety instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected safety instructor job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 7,500 new jobs for safety instructors are projected over the next decade.
Safety instructor salaries have increased -15% for safety instructors in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,502 safety instructors currently employed in the United States.
There are 38,602 active safety instructor job openings in the US.
The average safety instructor salary is $29,977.
Are safety instructor jobs in demand?
Safety instructor job and salary trends over time
Safety instructor jobs over time
Safety instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,502 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 657 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,650 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,847 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,699 | 0.00% |
Average safety instructor salary over time
Safety instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,977 | $14.41 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $28,937 | $13.91 | --20.3% |
| 2023 | $36,292 | $17.45 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $35,675 | $17.15 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | $35,248 | $16.95 | +1.0% |
Safety instructor jobs by state
Most common states for safety instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 607 | 11% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 78 | 11% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 74 | 11% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 826 | 10% |
| 5 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 938 | 9% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 354 | 9% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 89 | 9% |
| 8 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 418 | 8% |
| 9 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 260 | 8% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 89 | 8% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 48 | 8% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,604 | 7% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 750 | 7% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 597 | 7% |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 461 | 7% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 69 | 7% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 56 | 7% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 43 | 7% |
| 19 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 588 | 6% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 87 | 6% |
Most common cities for safety instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Lansing | 1 | 2% | $31,230 |
| 2 | Tuckahoe | 1 | 2% | $29,339 |
| 3 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $22,594 |
Safety Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of safety instructor experts
University of Central Missouri
San Jose State University
Franklin and Marshall College
University of Mount Union
NMSU/Dona Ana Community College
Wesley Tinker
Assistant Professor of SafetyUniversity of Central Missouri
Safety Sciences
What will help Safety Instructors 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.
Christine Foster
Adjunct ProfessorSan Jose State University
Industrial Systems and Engineering Department
What skills stand out on Safety Instructor 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.
What general advice would you give to a Safety Instructor?
David McMahan Ph.D.: Keep open to possibilities beyond the narrow range of what your diploma lists as your major or minor. Whatever job you get trained for today, in 10-20 years, it may be very different. Or it may not exist. Focus on obtaining and maintaining flexibility, critical thinking, creativity, and passion for learning. Being an interesting person is as vital as any credential.
Dr. Jerome Miksell
Professor (Musicianship, Technology, Viola), Department ChairUniversity of Mount Union
Music Department
What Safety Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jerome Miksell: An aspiring performer should be practicing and looking for performance opportunities. I would also recommend travel that might enhance understanding of a particular style of music.
Those interested in business opportunities could consider finding a part-time job in a music store.
Alfred Lujan
Assistant ProfessorNMSU/Dona Ana Community College
Public Services Department, Fire Science Program
What type of skills will young Safety Instructors 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.