Safety and Health Engineer

Impact: Employee safety, public health, and environmental protection

Designs and implements safety programs, inspects workplaces for hazards, and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations to protect employees and the environment.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Moderate
Team vs solo
60% Team / 40% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
High
Travel
10-20% domestic
Schedule flexibility
Moderate
Remote work
Hybrid
Typical work hours
40-50 hours/week
Stress level
Moderate

At a glance

Median salary
$105,000
Entry-level
$70,000 - $85,000
Senior
$140,000+
Growth by 2033
7% (average)
Demand
Growing
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
High to 100% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt
$30,000 - $60,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • OSHA Regulations
  • Risk Assessment
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Safety Management Systems
  • Data Analysis

Soft skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Communication
  • Attention to Detail
  • Critical Thinking
  • Collaboration

Technical complexity: High

How to get there

Minimum education
Bachelor's Degree
Licensing
Varies by State
Years to mid-career
3-5 years
Years to senior
7-10 years
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. Junior Safety Engineer
      2. Safety and Health Engineer
      3. Senior Safety Engineer
      4. Safety Manager

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      15% to low risk
      AI disruption risk
      Low
      Demand trend
      Growing

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      3.9/10
      Meaning
      4.2/10
      Work-life balance
      3.5/10
      Prestige
      7.5/10
      Social perception
      High

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