How much does a safety engineer make?
a year · about $55 an hour
A typical safety engineer in the United States makes $115,160 a year, about $55 an hour, about 2.3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They inspect machinery or a worksite for hazards, compare equipment plans with safety rules, and recommend fixes. At a desk, they record findings and update safety programs; they may also investigate accidents or train workers.
Did you know? Some safety engineers investigate accidents and interview workers to learn what caused them—and how to prevent another one.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $68,420 and $171,250How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s in engineering, such as mechanical or industrial; an internship helps. Entry jobs don’t require a license, but a PE license usually takes FE and PE exams plus years of work, so many start in their early 20s.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and whether an engineer has a PE license or a safety credential. It also depends on employer and industry, location, specialty (such as fire protection), and hours worked.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($131,540), lowest in Florida ($101,790).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $68,420 | $115,160 | $171,250 | about 21,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $131,540 | about 2,000 |
| Ohio | $129,560 | about 650 |
| Texas | $123,440 | about 4,000 |
| Maryland | $110,950 | about 520 |
| Michigan | $107,780 | about 720 |
Official definition: Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/health-and-safety-engineers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2111.00
- ncees.org/engineering/engineering-licensure
- www.bcsp.org/certified-safety-professional-csp
- nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/2011016/structure.asp
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY