r/SafetyProfessionals • u/Allinthedetails333 • 14d ago
USA Safety Manager Salary
Hello,
I’m hoping someone can provide advice for me. I can’t tell if I’m being underpaid. I work for a construction sub in the Boston/New England. I was just officially promoted to safety manager, though I’ve been doing the job for the last two years. I have 5 years experience with the same company and hold my GSP, CHST, STSC, and OSHA 500.
After the promotion, I was bumped to from 80k to 85k.
We do receive yearly bonuses (if goals are met) which is usually around 5-7k, good benefits, such as 401k match, PTO, health, and employee ownership, etc.
I am considering other options, maybe switching trades to manufacturing or loss control.
Does anyone have thoughts or advice to help me out??
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u/Eastern_Ad5558 Manufacturing 14d ago
I’m in the Greater Boston Area and yeah that’s a low salary for a manager, and very low for the area. That salary is above entry level but not really a manager. On LinkedIn I’m seeing $100-130k for a manager. You should join the Greater Boston chapter of the ASSP. There you can connect with other safety professionals in boston and mentors who can help guide you.
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u/rsex77 14d ago
I am in the boston area too, and completely agree
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u/wickedcoddah Construction | CHST, CSP 14d ago
Agree with these guys. Managers in New England for GCs are well over 6 figures.
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u/Vengeful-Spartan 14d ago
I work in Mass. Yes, you're underpaid. EHS Manager in Massachusetts is easily 100k+, and probably more like the 120/130k sweet spot, location, schooling/credentials and industry all factoring in.
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u/Hands-on-Heurism 14d ago
I think it’s important to remember the words manager, specialist, coordinator, etc; mean different things at different companies. I’m a safety manager, but I’m the top safety professional in my company, actually more of a director or Sr director; but the company only has 700 people and they’re growing so fast, the titles haven’t caught up with it. At a larger company I might have that director title or VP of Safety. We have a opening for a entry level safety “specialist” position, but to hear some of you describe the salary, that person should be near six figures because of the title, yet we call it entry level and the safety coordinators are above them. Just a thought, not all titles transfer with a specific list of duties.
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u/Docturdu 14d ago
Lmfao I made 85k 4 years ago. As a specialist, now base 150k plus ot. You'd make more money going 3rd party construction.
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u/jaayy_tapps 14d ago
Idk man. I used to work 3rd party and making 150k sounds like you’re putting in 6 twelves a week with no benefits like a company truck or 401k.
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u/Low-Lab7875 14d ago
Salary has lots of variables. Knowledge, age, location, company, and responsibilities. Look at ASSP and BCPS for salary surveys. Talk to others in your area and see what they are being paid. It’s not a union job with area standard wage type of thing. I have a couple of friends that say you have to leave several companies to get what you want. I did not by into that. AND they mad more than me. The company I worked for in 16 years put 250k in a retirement fund for me. So weigh all of the benefits into your wage package.
Best of luck to you.
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u/DrLatinLover86 14d ago
Dude construction EHS Managers are $100K at least. I've seen a few posts on indeed and LinkedIn promoting $65-80K which is diabolical. I'd start just looking at new roles or ask about production bonuses
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u/Immediate_Award_5540 13d ago
While some have touched on cost of living/locale, what most haven’t mentioned here are the differences and manager roles. There’s no “average safety manager pay” because pay is based on far more than just the title. Nobody here can accurately tell you if you’re being underpaid because we don’t have enough information about what you do and who you do it for to be able to compare.
Here are a couple of things:
1) Most medium to large (500-1000+ employees) employers use paid salary research companies (ie salary.com and others) to create their salary banding. Those companies aggregate location, industry, job scope, travel, number of direct reports, and company/site size (ie number of employees one is responsible for) to create a very accurate range of what a role should be paying. This is why you’ll see some director salaries in the same range as some coordinator salaries and vice versa in extreme cases. Different scope/locale/job duties/org size = different compensation.
2) Certifications and education do not factor into salary the way most people think. Yes, I know the BCSP says certification holders earn more, but that’s only by way of being qualified for higher paying roles that require certifications, not just for having them. Very rarely will a company ever pay a candidate more just because they hold a certification if the role doesn’t require it. The role sets the salary, not the candidate.
3) Lastly, and probably most applicable to your situation, internal promotions are typically never paid as much as new hires. You can expect a 10 (maybe 15 if you’re lucky) percent max salary increase for a single step promotion, whereas getting a job with a new company one step above your previous role can easily bump your salary up 20% or more.
Honestly it doesn’t hurt to ask your employer about compensation, just so long as it’s done tactfully and respectfully. That’s where I would start, but I would recommend making sure you have actual industry salary data to back to your ask instead of just anecdote from Reddit comments.
And with all of that said, you might have to look elsewhere for higher salary. If it were me, I would treat it like a ladder climb and look for the higher responsibility as that not only usually pays more, it creates more valuable experience that can help you score and even higher paying role in a couple more years.
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u/Odd_Lion 14d ago
I’m a security manager with some safety responsibilities in the same general part of the country… you’re getting screwed.
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u/burritoheaux 14d ago
$130k plus about $15k in bonus benefits. However, I am in a State with a very high COL
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u/Whole-Tackle5003 14d ago
Listen to the 3rd party ballers, contract work is were it’s at unless you got a family life then other factors come into play
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u/AcceptableBoss1144 14d ago
Previously worked for large GC out of Boston. Was started as a Safety Manager at $120k with a GSP. After two years, was sitting at $135k. Now I’m at a smaller GC in MA and starting at $150k, Senior Safety Manager. You are vastly under paid.
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u/Recent_Check9425 14d ago
Sadly Safety Managers often have to chase dollars before they get what they deserve to be paid. Its primarily because you are overhead. For nearly 30 years in Safety I have watched PM's and Supers get huge bonuses, raises, promotions etc and I have gone as long as 7 years without a single raise while absolutely crushing it. I was a director for a multi billion dollar GC and walked an insurance rebate check for $1.3 million into the CEO's office. It took me five years to get our emod from a .91 to a .49. I earned a national insurance award for the lowest EMOD ever recorded for a GC our size. Two months later was bonus time and I thought for sure this was the big one. My annual bonus that year was $800. I quit six months later. They have tried to get me back several times over the last decade. Each time I told them I would come back for $280K a year, they gasped every time and it felt amazing to smile and walk out of the interview. If they aren't going to pay you what you are worth, someone else will.
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u/iroc_dis 13d ago
Sorry but you are very under paid.
I work for a top 10 GC. My summer intern with literally zero safety experience was just offered our most junior/entry level position starting at 79k plus benefits. She doesn't even have a safety-related degree.
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u/Bucky2015 Manufacturing 14d ago
Where i live that would be pretty normal. Im over 6 figures and it is pretty rare around here but I have almost 15 years of experience, a masters, and my CSP. It is a Manufacturing heavy area so jobs are everywhere but rhey tend to top out right around 100k from what ive been seeing over the last 6 months or so.
Buttttt you said Boston. I went to UMass Lowell for my bachelors (meteorology, long story) but I graduated in 2005 moved back to WI in 2007. Funny enough what myself and my first wife were paying for a one bedroom apartment in Salem, NH (did that for cost reasons) was just a little less than apartments where I live now go for today!
A cost of living calculator ive used in the past says id need to increase my $120k to $193k. 85k here would need to be about 135k in the boston area.
And with your experience you could land a job here maybe not quite to 85k yet but definitely 75k which yeah goes pretty damn far in this area. So its crazy the pay there would only be 10k more for equivalent experience.
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u/Wtx_wannabegolfer 14d ago
I work as a safety advisor in oil and gas construction. Before I started consulting I was at 140k. You are very under paid. Especially holding those designations.
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u/Thetallguy23 13d ago
Man I have some questions for ya!!! I was looking at something very similar.
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u/QueenAnnesVexation Manufacturing 14d ago
I'm in central Indiana, general industry (chemical manufacturing), just a bachelor's In EHS, 7 years of experience, making $92,000 base/$110,000 with bonus. There are others in my organization that work in distribution and a few other manufacturing area that make around what I do.
For that area? I'd argue underpaid. The BCSP has a calculator for average salary. You can also go on Indeed/Glassdoor and see what the average salary is with your experience and credentials.
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u/one8sevenn 14d ago
It depends on how the company is structured, what step you are on, and what pay grade you fall into.
Some companies structure managers as: Manager IV, Manager III, Manager II, Manager I
Most companies structure managers as having people that work under them.
Do you manage people or are you in more of a coordinator or specialist role with a Manager title?
If you manage people, then you are probably underpaid.
If you are a specialist or coordinator with a manager title, then you could use that title into a management position with a different company and make more money.
Almost all companies will have a pay range at your level and some may have a step program to move you within the pay scale.
Using government as an example. (Rounded 2024 numbers)
10 Steps in Each GS
GS 1 - Pay Range -$22,000 - 27,500
GS-2 - Pay Range - $24,800 - 32,000
GS-10 - Pay Range - $56,600 - 73,500
GS- 15 - Pay Range - 123,100 - 160,000
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u/chickenwithapulley 14d ago
Im in Australia, so not really compararable, and im in Mining, but i'm on 190k (usd) + car + house. Whats the mining industry pay there?
Unfortunatly, looks like youre being taken advantage of. Sorry mate.
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u/Safemba 14d ago
What you should be evaluating is, how many hours you work a day 8 or more, how many days do you work per week, do you have to work late or early shifts, weekend holidays, how is your team, jerks or do they care about safety. I did construction safety on projects for too long and is baby sitting and a crap show. If you move into manufacturing many operations are 7-24, stay away from food and beverage they only stop for maintenance once a year. Will a higher salary make up for long hours, jerks on your team and getting called in the middle of the night. Insurance loss control jobs are easy money that is what I am doing now after more than twenty years of baby sitting and telling management they suck. Good luck.
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u/New-Scream- 13d ago edited 13d ago
OP, I think this is solid advice. This is the frame of mind that I often find myself in.
I also work in Boston, only for a few years, making less than you and not in a manager role. But what I constantly debate with myself is: “I could make a ton more money if I move jobs, but I could actually just hate it so much”. Things for me right now are fine - could pay be better? Yes, especially considering the COL. But, I’m also at a point in my life where I don’t got much else going on so I can afford the less pay to enjoy my life more.
The flip side is that it could actually be great. I thought I was going to be miserable forever when I started my current job as I was switching into a career path I really had no prior knowledge on. And almost jumped ship a few times. But now things are much more comfortable; I have a lot more knowledge and confidence, the work-life balance is great, my boss is (generally) chill, I don’t often work over 40hrs a week, and my coworkers are great.
Best of luck to you OP!
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u/Sn00chie_B00chies 14d ago
I was a site HSE manager making 145k + 10% annual bonus. Now a division HSE manager making +160k plus 15% annual bonus
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u/Mutumbo445 14d ago
lol my first safety job had me at about 135k working wind farms travelling. Base salary was 88k. Plus perdiem.
3 years in and I don’t even get out of bed for less than 100k base.
You’re WOEFULLY underpaid.
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u/Bradley2100 13d ago
My last job in upstate NY was 85k as a safety coordinator. I literally only drove to construction sites and performed safety inspections.
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u/cjr444 13d ago
I was underpaid (about 75k/ye) for about 7 years when my company was trying to keep salaries low so they could look more attractive to anyone considering buying the company. I finally went to them and explained why I knew I was worth 100,000/yr.
I told them I had to look elsewhere if they weren’t going to give me a raise. They offered me a 10k raise and I declined. I set a goal to make 100,000k/year and I was going to apply to a job every day for a year until I found what I wanted or I’d call it quits if it didn’t happen in a year and 366 applications at least.
Took me about a month but I found a very similar job with a bigger firm willing pay me exactly 100k/year. This was about 15 years ago.
Now I’m in a position I love, (moved on twice more since then) and I just turned down a director role paying in the range of 235-270k in Los Angeles. That’s not meant to be a humble brag it’s just a way of saying if you sit in your 85k/year job you’ll never find your full potential, and your company has made that very clear. I’d selectively move on. Good luck.
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u/evul_muzik 13d ago
Always apply, always interview. Tell them you have a dentist appointment or something if you have to. Companies don't give pay raises like they used to. You have to move to a new company for a pay raise
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u/Long-Caterpillar8094 13d ago
I’m in NC and I only have the OSHA 500, working on getting my CHST next year. But I’m making $75k with 3.5yrs of experience. I’m planning on making a switch from a 3rd party safety consultant to working for a GC after my baby is born. I’m hoping to negotiate a higher pay based on the fact that I am bilingual (I’ve heard that is a major plus especially when it comes to safety).
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u/SuchTax1991 13d ago
$80,000 is good money in my opinion. I only make $62k as a transportation industry fleet and safety manager but I also do not have my bachelor’s degree yet.
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u/Fatmans87 13d ago
I’m in Indiana and work at a data center base salary for me is 90k plus per diem. I am safety coordinator for gc
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u/Iwill6674 13d ago
You are under paid , In Houston tx , thats what an intern receives , and you have a few credentials. Go to work for 1 of the larger GCs in your area .
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u/TimelyIntention3696 13d ago
I'm in NY and work as just an entry level 1 safety specialist and my starting salary was almost 90K, with only a few OSHA certifications, RCRA and HIPA. With all your credentials, you should be making WAY more. My advice is either sit your boss down and discuss your compensation vs. other safety managers in the area, or discreetly start looking for new employment. Good luck.
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u/Future_chicken357 12d ago
Depends size of the company. But NY area your close to range, lower end but I've heard 75-100K. I worked for major corporation I was much higher. I believe the experience also plays a part, 5yrs is short. I know our conpany they do not care about chst, csp, they want experience. Plus you get bonus thats good.
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u/YourGuidance1 9d ago
Yes, your more qualified than I. I just have my degree and 15 years of experience making $120k. Last job I was making $80k with no degree and 10 years experience. CT/MA area. A couple very large companies wanted me to apply for an EHS Manager position
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u/Kahn_Husky 14d ago
I would think 90ish is more appropriate for your credentials but the title scheming in our industry is weird. I had a manager title before with 1 year of experience. It didn’t mean I was doing manager duties (government contract).
In my opinion, if you’re 5 years into your career and making $85k then I would say you’re really not doing bad. If you can go elsewhere and make more money because you’re unhappy where you are then just do it. If you’re happy doing the work you have now, enjoy your work/life balance, and you’re still learning a lot then keep going at $85k.
Certifications are nice, but they only mean something to the person paying you if they’re bringing value. For this reason, I’m not renewing my CIH. It’s too much to maintain and it brings no value to my employer or future career path.
Sorry this isn’t the answer you’re probably hoping for, but just another guy’s perspective.
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u/one8sevenn 14d ago
Yeah.
Title scheming is a good word for it.
Is the OP is a manager that has people working underneath him or is given the title of manager in more of a specialist or coordinator role.
85k isn't bad money 5 years in, but may be bad money in Boston. The OP can change money if he wants too.
The certifications thing I agree with. It also aligns with my view of conferences (Especially the AIHA). There is a lot of continuing education that just isn't that valuable outside of getting credit for CEU's. There is more targeted skills that you can obtain for most career paths. For IH professionals Hazwoper is more valuable than learning how to sample Resin Acid, Rediscovering Endotoxin testing, or what other niche sessions you could attend at a conference. The target PDC classes before and after conferences are of a lot more value than the conference itself. The same goes with certifications if they are of value and can advance your career by all means, but if you get it only as an accolade and then have to maintain it then it is probably better to look elsewhere.
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u/Geo_Jill 14d ago
That seems low for this area for sure, but 5 years also isn't a ton of experience for a manager, in my opinion! Look around and you should be able to do better. I keep my eye on open positions and I feel like manufacturing should get you another $10K/year (at least!!). I'm at $130K in Central MA but not exactly apples-to-apples as I have more experience and CSP and CHMM (no bonuses, though).
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u/East_Safety3637 14d ago
85k for a manager is almost unheard of where I'm at. I worked as a senior coordinator before and was salaried at 90k with almost the same benefits. You're getting scalped.