Shipbuilding at Bath Iron Works and Maine's smaller, more rural manufacturing base set safety-manager pay at an estimated median of $86,000 a year, under a state OSHA plan that covers only public employees.
Maine’s OSHA coverage is limited to the public sector. The state runs a State Plan for state and local government employees, but private-sector workplaces — including Maine’s shipyards, mills and manufacturers — fall under federal OSHA rather than the state program.
Maine safety and EHS managers earn an estimated median of $86,000 a year, with most roles paying between $67,080 and $116,100. That range scales the BLS national median for occupational health & safety specialists — $83,910 (SOC 19-5011, OES May 2024) — to Maine’s wage level; actual offers still move on industry, employer size, certifications and experience. Shipbuilding is the standout local employer — Bath Iron Works builds Navy destroyers and is one of the state’s largest industrial workforces — alongside a smaller but present forestry and paper-mill sector, seafood and food processing, and a seasonal tourism economy. Maine’s job market for safety managers is noticeably smaller and more rural than most of New England. Cost of living runs above the national median around Portland and the southern coast, largely on housing, while inland and northern Maine are considerably more affordable.
The largest concentrations of EHS and safety-manager roles in Maine sit around Portland, Lewiston and Bangor. Portland’s demand draws from its port, food processing and broader service economy; Lewiston still carries some manufacturing legacy; Bangor serves as a hub for the state’s more rural northern and eastern regions, including forestry-linked employers.
Get a personalised range by role, experience, industry and certification.
Open the free Salary Estimator →
See also: national salary guide · certification roadmap · all states
What's the median safety manager salary in Maine?
Maine safety and EHS managers earn an estimated median of about $86,000 a year, with most roles between $67,080 and $116,100 depending on industry, employer size, certifications and experience, based on BLS national OES data scaled to Maine's wage level.
Does Maine have its own OSHA program?
Partially. Maine operates a State Plan that covers only state and local government employees. Private-sector workplaces in Maine, including its shipyards and manufacturers, are regulated directly by federal OSHA.
What industries drive safety-manager demand in Maine?
Shipbuilding is the standout, centered on Bath Iron Works, which builds destroyers for the U.S. Navy. Beyond that, Maine's economy leans on forestry and paper manufacturing, seafood and food processing, and a seasonal tourism industry — a smaller, more rural mix than most neighboring states.
Is Maine an expensive place to work as a safety manager?
It can be, particularly around Portland and the southern coast, where housing costs run above the national median. Inland and northern Maine tend to be considerably more affordable.
Salary figures are estimates derived from BLS national OES data scaled to state wage levels — not a guarantee or an offer. Verify current local data with BLS and employers. ← All states · Home