The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the American Society of Professionals (ASSP) conducted a 33-question salary survey in March of nearly 10,000 safety, health and environmental professionals based primarily in the United States and Canada, identifying the typical salary, benefits, credentials and experience of these individuals.

The median base salary for full-time professionals was $97,000, with 22 percent of respondents earning $125,000 or more. Those with at least one corresponding certification (ASP, CDGP, CET, CHMM, CHMP, CHST, CIH, CSP, OHST, SMS, STSC, STS) typically earned $20,000 more per year than those with none. The certified safety professional (CSP) designation added $30,000 to the salary of a practitioner with no other credentials.

“The value of safety, health and environmental certifications continues to grow, with many laws and standards specifically citing them,” said BCSP CEO Treasa M. Turnbeaugh, Ph.D., MBA, CSP, ASP, CET, CAE, IOM. “Many companies include certifications in their job requirements, and contracts for safety services also call for them. Earning certifications that support your specialty and heighten your expertise is the smart thing to do.”

Three in four professionals had at least one of eight BCSP certifications, most commonly a CSP (46 percent). No less than 86 percent of respondents had at least one certification from any credentialing organization, and 26 percent had multiple certifications.

“The salary survey validates the earning power of safety and health professionals, demonstrating the advantage of adding credentials and gaining experience,” said ASSP President Jim Smith, M.S., CSP. “It should encourage people within the industry to seek accredited education programs and professional certifications to maximize their earning potential in such a dynamic field.”

The survey showed that formal education also correlates positively with salary levels as those with a doctoral degree typically earned $16,000 more annually than those with a bachelor’s degree, and $20,000 more than those with an associate degree.