Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Health and safety engineers develop and enforce workplace safety measures across industrial settings. They analyze production processes, equipment, and work environments to identify hazards, then recommend or implement controls based on engineering principles and safety regulations. These professionals work in manufacturing plants, construction sites, chemical facilities, and corporate safety departments.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves inspecting work areas for potential hazards, reviewing incident reports, and testing equipment. Engineers might conduct air quality monitoring, evaluate machine guarding systems, or analyze near-miss incidents. They prepare safety documentation, collaborate with operations managers on compliance issues, and occasionally testify about safety practices. Site visits and office work alternate regularly.
Who this work suits
Holland code IRC. Investigative work is figuring things out: analysis, research, problem-solving. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You're drawn to investigative work—diagnosing problems and tracing root causes in complex systems. You prefer hands-on, realistic problem-solving over theoretical work, and you're comfortable applying technical knowledge to practical safety challenges. You work well with data and systems while staying focused on tangible workplace outcomes.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Safety Engineer (Backend Leaning) · Elevenlabs · Ireland, Japan, Poland, UK, USA · Remote
- Staff Engineer, Full Stack (Trust, Safety & Risk) · Phantom · EMEA, LATAM, Canada, USA · Remote
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $103,460 | $131,540 | $161,160 | 2,470 |
| Massachusetts | $102,940 | $131,210 | $175,410 | 750 |
| New Hampshire | $84,870 | $130,500 | $152,360 | 80 |
| Ohio | $108,800 | $129,560 | $144,210 | 650 |
| Washington | $106,390 | $126,590 | $162,660 | 420 |
| Texas | $99,020 | $123,440 | $154,600 | 4,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,020 | $121,730 | $151,970 | 490 |
| Nevada | $93,950 | $121,660 | $144,070 | 80 |
| Colorado | $99,790 | $120,950 | $159,850 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $95,200 | $120,050 | $143,420 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $97,990 | $119,370 | $139,350 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $82,800 | $118,490 | $139,710 | 370 |
All 45 states
Certifications people in this field hold
- Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) — Institute of Hazardous Materials Management
- Product Safety Engineer — Exemplar Global
- Construction Safety & Health Specialist — Keene State College OSHA Education Center
- General Industry Safety & Health Specialist — Keene State College OSHA Education Center
- Industrial Hygiene Technician Safety & Health Specialist — Keene State College OSHA Education Center
- Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) — Institute of Hazardous Materials Management
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 17-2111.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.