How much money can I expect to make as a safety director? What qualifications would give me the best chance to make the most money? Which industries pay safety directors the best?

Good questions, especially if you're a safety professional or thinking about becoming one. Here are answers, based on a recent survey of nearly 500 safety professionals from the National Safety Council (NSC).

1. How Much Do Safety Directors Make?

• Less than $30,000: 4 percent
• $30,000 to $39,999: 8 percent
• $40,000 to $49,999: 11 percent
• $50,000 to $59,999: 16 percent
• $60,000 to $69,999: 15 percent
• $70,000 to $79,999: 13 percent
• $80,000 to $89,999: 7 percent
• $90,000 to $99,999: 6 percent
• $100,000 to $125,999: 9 percent
• $126,000 to $149,999: 5 percent
• $150,000 or more: 5 percent

2. What Factors Most Affect Safety Director's Salary?

• Company size
• Years of experience
• Tenure with the company
• Industry

3. Which Industries Pay Best?

Percentage of safety directors making over $100,000 by industry:

• Manufacturing: 34 percent
• Services: 22 percent
• Transportation: 14 percent
• Construction: 12 percent
• Public Administration: 8 percent

4. Are Companies Spending More or Less on Safety

• Plan to Spend More on Safety This Year: 35.6 percent (as compared to 30.6 percent last year)
• Plan to Spend Less on Safety This Year: 12.2 percent (as compared to 16.7 percent last year)
• Plan to Add Staff This Year: 27.9 percent (as compared to 14 percent last year)
• Plan to Cut Staff This Year: 4.1 percent (same as last year)

What Does It All Mean?

So, according to this survey, the formula for making the most money in safety seems to be: Get a position with a large manufacturing company and build up as much tenure as you can.

Of course, surveys like this need to be taken with a grain of salt.

SOURCE: National Safety Council: Salary Survey 2004

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