Safety supervisors coordinate and direct a company’s safety initiatives. They help protect workers by developing and implementing procedures designed to reduce workplace injuries.
A career as a safety supervisor may begin with enrolling in the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Psychology – Organizational Psychology program from Florida Institute of Technology. This article explores the role of safety supervisor as well as pertinent job information, such as duties, earning potential and job growth outlook
Safety Supervisor Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians will increase by 14% between 2023 and 2033. This rate of growth is much faster than the average for all occupations in coming years.
Job growth will occur as government safety regulations continue to change and insurance and healthcare costs rise. According to BLS, another driving factor of safety professional job growth is an ongoing trend in employers emphasizing employee health, safety and wellness. Individuals with specialized training and advanced education should enjoy the best career opportunities.
Safety Supervisor Job Description and Duties
Job duties for safety supervisors — also known as safety managers or specialists — vary according to the industry, workplace and hazards facing workers. They may evaluate existing hazards, write reports, prepare documents used in legal proceedings and propose budgets needed to implement safety programs. Safety supervisors also proactively foster worker safety, health and wellbeing through initiatives, programs and specialized environmental improvements.
At times, the safety supervisor will conduct worker safety training in accordance with regulations. They may also assist employees with worker compensation claims, consult with insurance providers and monitor employee medical treatment following a claim.
Another vital aspect of a safety supervisor’s job description and duties is ensuring that the organization properly maintains all required records. Safety supervisors are often responsible for a company’s compliance with related federal and state regulations.
Safety supervisor positions exist in a variety of industries and work environments, such as offices, mines and factories. These professionals typically work a 40-hour week, but situations may sometimes require extended hours. Safety supervisors may travel to employer work sites to perform their jobs.
Safety Supervisor Salary Range
BLS reports that occupational health and safety specialists earned a median annual salary of $81,140 in 2023. The highest-paid 10% of earners made salaries exceeding $128,040. This upper range may include supervisory roles. Specifically, ZipRecruiter data from March 2025 shows the average salary of safety supervisors to be $85,971, with top earners making $136,500 annually.
Recent bachelor’s graduates will generally start toward the lower end of the range. The top salaries go to supervisors with the most experience and advanced education.
Education and Training for Safety Supervisors
According to BLS, most health and safety specialist positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. Most employers prefer to hire candidates with previous experience for supervisory roles. Aspiring safety professionals may be able to gain work experience through jobs or internships while pursuing a degree or training that will help them move up in the field. For instance, online education programs provide students with the flexibility needed to advance one’s career and education simultaneously.
Safety supervisors traditionally earn degrees in occupational safety or a related field. With the increasing focus on the mental and psychological well-being of workers and the development of healthy and productive organizational cultures, a bachelor’s degree focused on organizational psychology can be a good match for the evolving leadership role.
Coursework may cover subjects like applied psychology, psychology in the workplace, psychology of leadership, organizational psychology and behavior, employment and personality testing, and personal and professional development. Students may also choose electives that focus specifically on occupational safety to prepare themselves for success in specialized roles.
Employers can be confident that graduates of an organizational psychology program are able to do the following:
- accurately recognize the foundations of key concepts of organizational psychology
- analyze trends, theory and empirical findings of applied psychology
- review models and processes involved in human information processing
- develop practical solutions to issues facing today’s employers and employees
- leverage advanced skills and knowledge to succeed in a safety supervisor role
Many employers offer opportunities for continuing education. It may be possible to gain an entry-level position in the field and use tuition assistance to pay for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Planning for a Safety Supervisor Career
For those who enjoy helping and protecting others, becoming a safety supervisor could be a rewarding career path. Beyond specialist and supervisory roles, safety professionals may have the opportunity to advance to higher-level roles such as safety director or safety officer.
Along with excellent communication skills, safety supervisors need good attention to detail and strong leadership abilities to succeed in this field. Students develop these nuanced skills in quality degree programs like the BA in Applied Psychology – Organizational Psychology offered 100% online by Florida Tech.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online BA in Applied Psychology – Organizational Psychology program.
