Occupational Safety Specialist
Find workplace hazards, train workers and keep companies compliant with OSHA.
- $90,150
- 2–4 years
Safety & Environmental career
Safety Engineer
Also called: Health and Safety Engineer · Process Safety Engineer · Product Safety Engineer · Fire Protection Engineer
What safety engineers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a safety engineer do?
Health and safety engineers combine engineering and safety knowledge to design systems, equipment and processes that protect people from injury and illness and prevent property damage. The median pay is $115,160 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years, and employment is projected to grow +5.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$115,160$55.36/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.4%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year1,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs22,300Employment, 2025
What safety engineers do
Safety engineers prevent harm by design. They analyze machines, chemical processes, buildings and products for hazards, then specify guards, ventilation, alarms, fire protection and procedures to control them. They lead hazard analyses, review designs, investigate serious incidents and make sure operations comply with OSHA, EPA and industry standards.
Most safety engineers have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, often mechanical, chemical, industrial or fire protection engineering. Many earn the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential, and some become licensed Professional Engineers. Jobs are found in manufacturing, chemicals, construction, energy, government and consulting.
Typical duties
- Identify hazards in equipment, processes and products
- Lead hazard analyses such as HAZOP and FMEA
- Design engineering controls and safety systems
- Review plans and changes for safety
- Investigate serious incidents and failures
- Ensure compliance with regulations and standards
- Train engineers and staff on safety requirements
Work environment and schedule
Safety engineers work in offices and spend time in plants, labs and construction sites. Field visits require PPE and sometimes travel between facilities.
Schedule: Most work full-time business hours, with some travel and occasional after-hours response to incidents.
A day in the life
- Review overnight incident reports and the status of open safety actions.
- Lead a HAZOP session on a new chemical process line.
- Review machine guarding drawings with the design engineer.
- Model ventilation needs for a new welding area.
See a full day in the life of a safety engineer →
Safety Engineer salary
Half of safety engineers earned more than $115,160 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $68,420 for the lowest 10% to $171,250 for the top 10%.
Full safety engineer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a safety engineer
- Earn an engineering degree
- Pass the FE exam
- Gain experience
- Earn credentials
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree in engineering is typically required. Common majors are mechanical, chemical, industrial, electrical and fire protection engineering. Graduate degrees in safety or industrial hygiene help with advancement.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a safety engineer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Hazard analysis (HAZOP, FMEA)
- Engineering design review
- Process safety management
- Fire and life safety codes
- Incident investigation
People skills
- Analytical thinking
- Persuasion
- Communication
- Integrity
All safety engineer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay and engineering prestige
- Work that saves lives
- Variety across industries
- Strong demand for process safety skills
Cons
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering
- High responsibility for serious hazards
- Can mean pushing back on cost or schedule
- Travel at some employers
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP): BCSP’s leading credential for safety professionals.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license: State licensure for engineers, required for some roles.
- Associate Safety Professional (ASP): BCSP credential often earned before the CSP.
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS): NFPA credential for fire protection.
Career path
- Associate Safety or Process Engineer: Support hazard analyses and design reviews.
- Safety Engineer: Lead analyses and design controls.
- Senior or Process Safety Engineer: Lead programs for a site or company.
- EHS Director or Consultant: Lead safety strategy or advise clients.
Learn the job before day one
Our Safety Engineer training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lead a HAZOP session and apply the hierarchy of controls to a hazard, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Safety Technician
Inspect workplaces, collect hazard data and help keep workers from getting hurt.
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Mechanical Engineer
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Fire Inspector
Inspect buildings for fire hazards and investigate the cause of fires.
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Compare: Safety Engineer vs. Safety Specialist · Safety Engineer vs. Safety Technician · Safety Engineer vs. Mechanical Engineer · Safety Engineer vs. Fire Inspector
Safety Engineer FAQ
Do safety engineers need a PE license?
Not always, but it’s required for some roles and helps with advancement.
What’s the difference between a safety engineer and a safety specialist?
Safety engineers focus on engineering design; specialists focus on programs and compliance.
Which industries hire safety engineers?
Chemicals, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, aerospace, government and consulting.
How much does a safety engineer make?
The median annual wage for safety engineers was $115,160 ($55.36 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $68,420 and the highest 10% earned more than $171,250.
How long does it take to become a safety engineer?
Most people need about 4 years of training. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is typically required. Common majors are mechanical, chemical, industrial, electrical and fire protection engineering. Graduate degrees in safety or industrial hygiene help with advancement.
Do you need a degree to be a safety engineer?
Yes, usually. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree in engineering as typical. Some safety professionals with other degrees move into engineering roles through experience and credentials such as the CSP, but engineering degrees are standard.
More safety engineer questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-2111 (Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.