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What is a site safety manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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As a site safety manager, you will serve the purpose of ensuring that all safety and health guidelines are being adhered to on-site. If you feel you have the necessary expertise and can enforce guidelines as needed, then this is the job for you.

Some of the duties and responsibilities that you will be performing in this capacity are developing and executing health and safety plans at the site, ensuring all legal guidelines are adhered to, preparing and enforcing policies, evaluating current workplace practices, and recommending changes and improvements as needed. Moreover, you will also conduct training and presentations for safety, investigate any accidents that occur on-site, and report on health and safety awareness. Essential skills required for this role are communication, analytical, organizational, motivational, and deep understanding of safety guidelines.

To qualify for this role, most employers require a bachelor's degree in safety management, along with a valid qualification in occupational health and safety. Proven work experience in a similar position is also necessary. The average hourly pay for this role is $41.50, which amounts to over $86,000 annually.

ScoreSite Safety ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.7

Avg. Salary $85,979

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.2

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 9.73%

Black or African American 4.78%

Hispanic or Latino 11.74%

Unknown 3.95%

White 69.63%

Gender

female 10.61%

male 89.39%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
7.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Site safety manager career paths

Key steps to become a site safety manager

  1. Explore site safety manager education requirements

    Most common site safety manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    52.1 %

    Associate

    25.0 %

    Master's

    9.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific site safety manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    OSHA16.64%
    Safety Procedures6.86%
    Safety Program5.19%
    Fall Protection3.83%
    Corrective Action3.78%
  3. Complete relevant site safety manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New site safety managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a site safety manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real site safety manager resumes.
  4. Research site safety manager duties and responsibilities

    • Enforce compliance with NFPA and NEC codes and manage electrical program.
    • Manage MSHA and MIOSHA training requirements along with maintain employees onsite training record.
    • Manage training and compliance for all LOTO and phases of industrial and commercial construction activities.
    • Manage and conduct groundwater/soil sample collection (NPDES), SDWA compliance and contamination assessments while ensuring EPA protocols are followed.
  5. Prepare your site safety manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your site safety manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a site safety manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable site safety manager resume templates

    Build a professional site safety manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your site safety manager resume.
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    Site Safety Manager Resume
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    Site Safety Manager Resume
    Site Safety Manager Resume
  6. Apply for site safety manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a site safety manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first site safety manager job

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Average site safety manager salary

The average site safety manager salary in the United States is $85,979 per year or $41 per hour. Site safety manager salaries range between $57,000 and $128,000 per year.

Average site safety manager salary
$85,979 Yearly
$41.34 hourly

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How do site safety managers rate their job?

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Site safety manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Pros

You have the satisfaction of keeping the employees safe and you know that higher management gives you support. If you go through an OSHA inspection you are confident that you've done your due diligence.

Cons

It takes time to implement and see the safety culture grow.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

All about safety and health and taking care of the company.

Cons

They don't report any information


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Cons

A management goal of adopting safety program for regulatory compliance only.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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