Head of Safety Salary in the United States

How much does a Head of Safety make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Head of Safety in the United States is $152,655 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, a Head of Safety's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $188,575
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $136,618 to $171,457
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,017
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View as table View as graph 25% $136,618 10% $122,017 90% $188,575 75% $171,457 $152,655 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Head of Safety Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $171,457 $14,288 $3,297 $82
Average $152,655 $12,721 $2,936 $73
25th Percentile $136,618 $11,385 $2,627 $66
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Key Factors That Influence Head of Safety Salaries

A Head of Safety's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Head of Safety Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Head of Safety's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $93,563
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,905
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $151,272
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $169,700
  • Expert (over 8 years): $203,354
Levels Salary
Safety Su... Level Head of Safety$93,563
Safety Ma... Level Head of Safety$102,905
Head of S... Level Head of Safety$151,272
Safety Di... Level Head of Safety$169,700
VP of Saf... Level Head of Safety$203,354
$93,563 0 yr
$102,905 < 2 yrs
$151,272 2-4 yrs
$169,700 5-8 yrs
$203,354 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Head of Safety Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Head of Safeties. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $169,020.
  • California: $168,378.
  • Massachusetts: $166,134.

Top Paying Cities for Head of Safeties

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $192,544
  • San Francisco: $190,651
  • Oakland: $186,422

What Skills Can Increase a Head of Safety's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.8% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 2.69% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • Environmental Health (Mentioned in 1.57% Job Postings): A branch of public health that focuses on the interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters healthy and safe communities.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.8%
First Aid 2.69%
Environmental Health 1.57%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Head of Safety's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
$164,867
8%
Integrity
$161,814
6%
Teamwork
$161,814
6%
Safety Engineering
$160,288
5%
Hard Working
$158,761
4%
Communication Skills
$158,761
4%
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How Education impacts a Head of Safety's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Head of Safeties enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Head of Safety with a Associate's Degree is between $148,710 and $161,764).

Head of Safety Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Head of Safety
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 26.6%
Associates 11.9%
Bachelors 39.9%
Masters 20.0%
Doctorate 1.2%
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Head of Safety Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Head of Safety's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Head of Safety

Salaries for a Head of Safety can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $157,148 in 2023 to around $152,449 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Head of Safety salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Head of Safety Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$157,148
2024
$153,981
2025
$152,449
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $157,148
2024 $153,981
2025 $152,449
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Head of Safety

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Head of Safety

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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