Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors, focus on protecting people and environments through careful analysis and structured problem solving. Nationally, there are about 24,000 jobs in this occupation, with a median annual salary of $109,660 and projected employment growth of 4.4%. The field offers roughly 2,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing hiring needs across the country. Successful professionals blend science, critical and analytical thinking, and strong decision making to address complex issues. The role also draws heavily on leadership, project management, and communication skills, including writing, reading, speaking, and listening. Detail orientation and adaptability support accuracy and responsiveness, while creativity and innovation help generate effective solutions. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals, this occupation presents a structured path that values both technical and soft skills, supported by a bachelor’s degree as the typical education requirement and a range of geographic options with varying salary and opportunity levels.
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors, have a national median annual salary of $109,660. Earnings vary meaningfully by location. Among top states, California and Massachusetts both report median salaries above $131,000, while Washington and Colorado are also above $120,000. New York’s median salary is $101,300, somewhat below the national median but paired with a strong opportunity score. At the metro level, salary levels can be even higher. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $147,220, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $143,050. Several other leading metros, including Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, offer median salaries above $111,000. These figures highlight substantial earning potential for professionals who qualify for roles in higher-paying states and metropolitan areas.
This occupation has national employment of about 24,000 health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors. Projected employment growth is 4.4%, and there are an estimated 2,000 annual openings. The combination of an established employment base with a defined growth rate suggests ongoing demand rather than a static market. The 2,000 annual openings reflect opportunities from both new positions and turnover in existing roles. In the top states and metro areas listed, the projected growth rate is also 4.4%, aligning with the national projection. Together, these indicators point to a career path where new entrants and experienced professionals can expect continuing opportunities over time. For individuals planning their careers, the presence of measurable growth and consistent openings can support long-term planning, whether aiming to enter the field after completing a bachelor’s degree or considering a transition from a related role such as occupational health and safety technicians, specialists, construction managers, industrial engineers, or zoologists and wildlife biologists.
Location significantly shapes opportunity for health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors. Among states, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $131,540, and employment of 2,470. Massachusetts and New York follow closely in opportunity scores (65.87 and 65.78 respectively), with Massachusetts offering a median salary of $131,210 and New York employing 1,570 professionals. Washington and Colorado also rank as strong options, each combining six-figure median salaries with opportunity scores above 56. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both have opportunity scores above 77, the highest in the list, with median salaries of $143,050 and $111,380. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro stands out for the highest listed median salary of $147,220. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also provide strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores.
The typical education for health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors, is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education underpins the scientific and analytical foundation needed for the role. Core skills associated with success in this field include science, problem solving and decision making, and critical and analytical thinking, all of which align well with bachelor’s-level study. The career also emphasizes leadership and project management, supporting responsibility for coordinated work and structured initiatives. Strong writing and reading abilities, along with speaking and listening, are important for clear communication. Being detail oriented helps ensure accuracy, while adaptability enables professionals to respond to changing conditions or requirements. Creativity and innovation are also highlighted, indicating value placed on generating new ideas and approaches. Together, this blend of education and skills creates a profile suited to individuals who enjoy systematic thinking, clear communication, and continuous learning within a structured professional environment.
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