Environmental health and safety managers ensure organizations comply with workplace safety regulations and environmental legislation. They earn a median salary of $110,680 as of 2024, with job demand expected to grow 28% through 2032, creating approximately 54,700 annual openings. Most positions require a bachelor's degree in occupational health, environmental science, or related field.
Thinking about a career that protects both people and the planet? Environmental health and safety (EHS) managers play a critical role in today's workplaces. They're the professionals who make sure your company follows environmental laws, keeps employees safe from hazards, and responds effectively when something goes wrong. Whether you're drawn to environmental protection, workplace safety, or both, this career path offers strong earning potential and job security.
Here's what you need to know about becoming an environmental health and safety manager, including what the job actually involves, where you'll work, what you'll earn, and how to break into this growing field.
What Does an Environmental Health and Safety Manager Do?
EHS managers work with organizations-both private companies and public agencies-to promote safe working practices and environmental compliance. On any given day, you'll observe operations to ensure they meet safety regulations, investigate incidents when injuries occur, and help businesses reduce their environmental footprint.
Your core responsibilities include identifying workplace hazards before they cause harm, ensuring proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials, and keeping detailed records of safety inspections and training. When accidents happen, you'll conduct investigations and write reports that may be used in legal proceedings. You might even serve as an expert witness if a case goes to court.
Think of it this way: business owners and senior managers know they need to follow health and safety regulations, but keeping up with constant legislative changes is challenging. That's where you come in. Companies hire EHS professionals-either full-time or on contract-to navigate these complexities and ensure compliance while protecting their workforce.
The work shares similarities with environmental public health and environmental policy and planning, but you'll work directly with the organizations affected by legislation rather than developing policy from an agency office. Success requires attention to detail, strong observation skills, and solid knowledge of environmental law.
You'll also want to understand the differences between related roles. An environmental health and safety trainer focuses on teaching employees safety protocols, while an environmental health and safety technician typically handles more hands-on implementation and testing of safety systems. As a manager, you'll oversee these functions and develop organizational safety strategies.
Where Does an Environmental Health and Safety Manager Work?
You've got two main employment paths as an EHS professional. Many managers work on a freelance or contract basis, hired for specific projects such as developing safety policies, conducting compliance audits, or helping companies respond to new regulations. This consulting approach has grown significantly since stricter health and safety policies were introduced over the past few decades.
About one-quarter of qualified health and safety professionals work for various government bodies in the United States. If you specialize in environmental aspects, you'll typically find positions with state and national parks, or federal research organizations like the EPA, NOAA, and related agencies. General health and safety professionals often work for the CDC, OSHA, NIOSH, and other regulatory bodies.
In the private sector, opportunities exist almost anywhere there's a need for environmental health and safety oversight. This includes hospitals, mines and drilling rigs, educational institutions, highway construction sites, technical consulting firms, factories, airports and seaports, building services and construction companies, heritage sites, conservation organizations, and many more.
Your typical day varies based on your work environment. Office-based managers spend time reviewing safety reports, updating policies, and coordinating with department heads. Field-based roles involve more site visits, conducting inspections, and hands-on problem-solving. Many positions involve a mix of both. Travel requirements range from occasional site visits to extensive travel across multiple company locations, especially in senior roles managing safety programs for organizations with distributed operations.
What Is the Average Environmental Health and Safety Manager Salary?
Environmental health and safety managers fall under the broader BLS category of medical and health services managers. Understanding the salary range can help you set realistic expectations as you plan your career path.
| Salary Level | Annual Salary (2024) |
|---|---|
| Median Salary | $110,680* |
| Lowest 10% | $71,620* |
| Highest 10% | $182,870* |
| Government Sector (Median) | $119,100* |
Your earning potential depends on several factors beyond just experience. Geographic location plays a significant role-EHS managers in areas with heavy industry or strict environmental regulations often command higher salaries. Advanced certifications like the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) can boost your earning power considerably. Managers working in high-risk industries such as oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, and nuclear energy typically earn more due to the complex safety challenges these sectors present.
How to Become an Environmental Health and Safety Manager
Breaking into environmental health and safety management requires a combination of education, practical experience, and specific skill sets. Here's what you'll need at different career stages.
Entry-Level EHS Manager Requirements
Most entry-level positions require a bachelor's degree in environmental health, safety engineering, occupational health, or a related field, plus 2-5 years of relevant experience. You'll need strong time-management and multitasking skills, as you'll juggle inspections, training sessions, permit renewals, and incident investigations simultaneously.
Communication skills are critical-you'll convey complex safety information to employees, managers, and contractors both verbally and in writing. You'll also need solid computer skills to maintain safety databases, generate reports, and track compliance metrics.
Day-to-day responsibilities at this level include:
- Applying health and safety codes, regulations, and policies to your facility's operations, both interior and exterior
- Assessing risks and identifying workplace hazards to create safe, healthy environments
- Organizing and completing necessary permits (environmental permits, fire safety permits, operating permits)
- Training employees on safety protocols and procedures
- Ensuring proper maintenance of safety equipment like fire alarms, sprinkler systems, HVAC systems, and emergency generators
- Conducting regular inspections and audits, including fire drills and elevator system tests
- Managing personal protective equipment inventory and ensuring employees know when and how to use it
You'll typically work from an office with regular site visits to company facilities, or you may travel extensively if you're supporting multiple locations.
Senior-Level EHS Manager Requirements
Senior EHS managers oversee larger-scale operations, managing health and safety teams across multiple facilities or an entire organization. These positions typically require a master's degree in environmental health, safety engineering, or occupational health, along with 5-10 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental health and safety.
At this level, your focus shifts from hands-on implementation to strategic oversight. You'll travel to multiple facilities to oversee safety operations, manage teams of EHS professionals, coordinate training programs, handle permit renewals across locations, and manage complex EHS projects.
Additional senior-level responsibilities include:
- Ensuring all visitors and contractors receive proper safety training and understand site-specific hazards before entering facilities
- Preparing comprehensive reports on inspection and audit results for executive teams
- Creating and maintaining detailed logs of safety incidents, near-misses, and corrective actions
- Representing the organization at workshops, seminars, and industry conferences
- Maintaining current certifications and staying updated on emerging safety regulations
- Conducting company-wide audits covering all interior and exterior facility areas
- Creating, training, and managing specialized teams like incident management groups and emergency response teams
| Aspect | Entry-Level Manager | Senior-Level Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor's degree | Master's degree preferred |
| Experience | 2-5 years | 5-10+ years |
| Focus | Hands-on implementation | Strategic oversight |
| Scope | Single facility or department | Multiple facilities or organization-wide |
| Team Management | Limited or no direct reports | Manages EHS teams and specialists |
What Is the Job Demand for Environmental Health and Safety Managers?
The outlook for environmental health and safety managers remains strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job demand for EHS managers is expected to grow by 28% between 2022 and 2032, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. This growth translates to approximately 54,700 new positions annually.*
Several factors drive this demand. Companies face increasingly complex environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. Workplace safety has become a higher priority for organizations trying to reduce insurance costs and avoid legal liability. There's also growing awareness about corporate environmental responsibility and sustainability initiatives, which require EHS expertise to implement effectively.
Environmental H&S managers may see slightly higher demand than general safety managers, particularly as climate-related legislation continues to evolve. Those with advanced degrees and specialized certifications can expect the strongest job prospects. The field is mature enough that qualified professionals rarely struggle to find work, though competition for top positions at prestigious organizations remains strong.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become an Environmental Health and Safety Manager?
A bachelor's degree will qualify you for most EHS management positions. However, given competitive job markets and the complexity of modern environmental regulations, we recommend pursuing specialization to stand out.
Several undergraduate degree paths can lead to this career. Occupational Health and Safety degrees provide direct preparation for the field. Business Law degrees can be valuable if you're interested in the regulatory and compliance aspects. Environmental Science or Environmental Health degrees work well, especially if you focus on workplace safety applications.
To specialize in environmental health and safety specifically, you'll want to take electives and minors in environmental science or environmental law during your undergraduate studies. Technical subjects become increasingly important at the master's level, particularly for those specializing in environmental aspects. Knowledge of chemistry, ecology, or biology is useful when working with hazardous materials and consulting specialists who handle them.
Since this role emphasizes practical, on-site work rather than research, doctoral degrees aren't necessary unless you're interested in academic positions or specialized consulting in highly technical areas.
Professional Certifications
While not always required, professional certifications significantly enhance your career prospects and earning potential. The most valuable certifications include:
Certified Safety Professional (CSP) - Offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), this is the gold-standard certification in the field. It demonstrates comprehensive safety knowledge and typically requires several years of experience before you can sit for the exam.
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) - Focused on workplace health hazards, this certification is particularly valuable if you work in manufacturing, chemical processing, or other industrial settings.
OSHA Certifications - Various OSHA training certifications (like the 30-hour or 500/510 trainer courses) demonstrate your expertise in federal safety regulations and qualify you to conduct official safety training.
Most professionals pursue CSP certification after gaining a few years of experience. The CIH typically comes later for those who specialize in industrial hygiene. Obtaining OSHA certifications earlier in your career can provide immediate practical value.
Environmental Health Safety Management - Related Degrees
Career Progression Pathways
Understanding the typical career progression helps you plan your long-term path in environmental health and safety. Most professionals follow this general trajectory:
Entry Point: EHS Technician (0-2 years) - You'll start by conducting inspections, collecting samples, maintaining equipment, and assisting senior staff with safety programs. This hands-on experience teaches you how safety systems actually work in practice.
Mid-Level: EHS Specialist/Coordinator (2-5 years) - With experience, you'll take on more responsibility for specific safety programs. You might manage the respiratory protection program, oversee waste-disposal compliance, or coordinate emergency response planning. You're still implementing programs others have designed, but you're gaining the expertise needed to design them yourself.
Management: EHS Manager (5-8 years) - At this stage, you're developing safety strategies, managing budgets, overseeing teams, and serving as the primary safety contact for your organization. You'll work closely with senior leadership to align safety programs with business objectives.
Senior Leadership: EHS Director (8+ years) - Senior directors manage EHS functions across multiple sites or divisions. You'll set organizational safety policy, represent the company with regulatory agencies, and may oversee multiple managers. Some professionals eventually become Chief Safety Officers or VP-level executives at large organizations.
Not everyone follows this exact path-some consultants build successful practices without climbing a corporate ladder, and government positions have their own career tracks. However, this framework gives you a realistic timeline for career advancement.
What Kind Of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Environmental Health and Safety Managers Have?
Professional organizations provide networking opportunities, continuing education, and resources to stay current with industry changes. The following organizations serve professionals working in health, safety, and environmental management:
- BCSP - The Board of Certified Safety Professionals is the largest organization in the U.S. for health and safety professionals across all specialties, not just environmental safety. BCSP certifies professionals so organizations know they're hiring qualified experts. If you're pursuing CSP certification, BCSP membership provides valuable exam preparation resources.
- OSHA - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the country's primary source of workplace safety data, regulations, and guidance. While OSHA is a government agency rather than a membership organization, they offer extensive help and advice to businesses and maintain resources that safety professionals use daily. Their training institute offers certification courses to advance your career.
- NESHTA - The National Environmental Safety and Health Training Association publishes training courses and manuals specifically for health and safety professionals focused on environmental issues. They're an excellent resource for staying current on environmental regulations and best practices.
Other valuable organizations include the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for those pursuing the CIH, and various state and regional safety councils that offer local networking and training opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an environmental health and safety manager do on a daily basis?
Your daily routine depends on your work environment, but typically includes a mix of office work and site visits. You'll review incident reports from overnight shifts, conduct safety walkthroughs to identify hazards, meet with department managers about upcoming projects, update safety documentation, coordinate employee training sessions, and respond to questions from workers or supervisors. When incidents occur, you'll drop everything to investigate and ensure proper response. Some days you're in meetings with executives discussing safety budgets, other days you're on the factory floor conducting air quality tests.
How much does an environmental health and safety manager earn?
EHS managers earned a median salary of $110,680 as of 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level managers typically start in the $71,620-$83,000 range, while experienced managers at large organizations can earn $182,870+ or more, especially with advanced certifications. Government positions often pay slightly higher median salaries than private industry, and location significantly impacts earnings-EHS managers in areas with heavy industry or stringent regulations generally command higher salaries.
What's the difference between an EHS manager and an EHS technician?
EHS technicians focus on hands-on implementation of safety programs-conducting inspections, testing equipment, collecting samples, and maintaining safety systems. They work under the direction of managers or specialists. EHS managers, on the other hand, develop safety strategies, manage compliance programs, oversee teams, work directly with senior leadership, and take responsibility for overall safety performance. Managers need broader business skills like budgeting and strategic planning, while technicians need greater technical skills in their specific area. Most managers start their careers as technicians before advancing.
Do I need a master's degree to become an environmental health and safety manager?
A bachelor's degree qualifies you for most EHS management positions, especially at the entry level. However, a master's degree becomes increasingly valuable as you advance your career. Master's degrees are often preferred or required for senior management roles, director-level positions, or specialized consulting work. They're also helpful in competitive job markets or when transitioning from another field. If you're just starting out, focus on getting your bachelor's degree and gaining practical experience. You can always pursue a master's degree later, once you've clarified your career direction and have employer tuition support.
Is demand growing for environmental health and safety managers?
Yes, demand is growing faster than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 28% growth in EHS management positions between 2022 and 2032, driven by increasingly complex environmental regulations, greater corporate focus on workplace safety, and rising awareness of sustainability issues. Companies need qualified professionals to navigate these requirements and avoid costly violations. Those with specialized knowledge in environmental regulations and advanced certifications will have the strongest job prospects.
Key Takeaways
- Dual Protection Role: Environmental health and safety managers ensure organizations comply with both workplace safety regulations and environmental laws, protecting employees and the environment simultaneously.
- Strong Earning Potential: EHS managers earn a median salary of $110,680, with the highest earners exceeding $182,870+, particularly in government positions and high-risk industries.
- Growing Job Market: Demand for EHS managers is expected to grow 28% through 2032, significantly faster than average, creating approximately 54,700 new positions annually.
- Flexible Career Paths: You can work full-time for a single organization, consult with multiple clients, or pursue government positions with agencies like the EPA, OSHA, or NIOSH.
- Clear Advancement Trajectory: Most professionals progress from EHS technician to specialist/coordinator to manager to director over 8-10 years, with certifications like CSP or CIH significantly boosting career advancement and earning potential.
Ready to start your environmental health and safety career? Explore accredited environmental science and occupational health programs that can prepare you for this growing field.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for medical and health services managers reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2026.
