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The differences between safety supervisors and safety directors 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 supervisor and a safety director. Additionally, a safety director has an average salary of $85,687, which is higher than the $65,392 average annual salary of a safety supervisor.
The top three skills for a safety supervisor include OSHA, safety procedures and safety program. The most important skills for a safety director are OSHA, DOT, and safety procedures.
| Safety Supervisor | Safety Director | |
| Yearly salary | $65,392 | $85,687 |
| Hourly rate | $31.44 | $41.20 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 16,481 | 19,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A safety supervisor is responsible for monitoring the overall operations of a production, ensuring the safety and security of everyone, and enforcing strict regulations and protocols. Safety supervisors organize safety orientations and training for the workers, as well as reiterating disciplinary measures and policies and procedures during meetings. They inspect the workplace, including the maintenance of tools and equipment, immediately calling for repair for any defective items found. A safety supervisor also assists with the investigation of workplace hazards to prevent such complications in the future.
A safety director is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the business and its employees, enforcing strict safety standards, and facilitating safety drills and programs to avoid potential hazards within the office's premises. Safety directors inspect the building's premises, including the office's equipment and other systems, and perform immediate actions even for the smallest inconsistencies. They also create incident and audit reports to discuss with the management and implement or adjust regulations as needed.
Safety supervisors and safety directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Safety Supervisor | Safety Director | |
| Average salary | $65,392 | $85,687 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $98,000 | Between $55,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Cargill | Genentech |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Construction |
There are a few differences between a safety supervisor and a safety director in terms of educational background:
| Safety Supervisor | Safety Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between safety supervisors' and safety directors' demographics:
| Safety Supervisor | Safety Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% | Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |