What a safety / EHS manager earns in Washington — an estimated median of about $104,000 per year — plus who regulates workplace safety in the state and how to push your pay higher.
Safety and EHS managers in Washington earn an estimated median of about $104,000 per year — among the highest state-level estimates in this series — with most positions falling between $81,120 and $140,400. The estimate is anchored on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES, May 2024 release) national median for occupational health & safety specialists — $83,910 (SOC 19-5011) — scaled to Washington’s wage level. Actual pay depends on industry, employer size, certifications and years of experience. Washington has no state income tax, but the Seattle/Puget Sound cost of living runs well above the national median, so the higher headline number is partly offset by higher local living costs.
Washington runs its own OSHA-approved State Plan through the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), part of the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). It covers both private-sector and state/local government employers, and the state has a track record of adopting standards — on issues like heat exposure and workplace violence prevention — ahead of federal OSHA.
EHS and safety-manager roles in Washington concentrate around Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane: the Puget Sound corridor for Boeing’s Everett and Renton aerospace-manufacturing plants and the region’s ports and maritime industry, and Spokane for the agricultural processing tied to Eastern Washington’s apple, wine-grape and wheat production.
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What does a safety manager earn in Washington?
Safety and EHS managers in Washington earn an estimated median of about $104,000 per year, with a typical range of $81,120 to $140,400 depending on industry, employer size, certifications and experience — among the highest state-level estimates in this series. The estimate is anchored on BLS OES national data scaled to Washington’s wage level.
Does Washington have its own OSHA program?
Yes. Washington runs its own OSHA-approved State Plan through DOSH inside the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), covering both private-sector and state/local government employers, and has a track record of adopting standards ahead of federal OSHA.
What industries drive safety-manager hiring in Washington?
Boeing’s aerospace manufacturing plants in Everett and Renton are a major driver, alongside the Puget Sound’s ports and maritime industry and Eastern Washington’s agricultural processing sector around Spokane.
How can I increase my safety-manager salary in Washington?
Target aerospace manufacturing, maritime or large-scale construction employers, earn a BCSP credential such as the CSP, and move into multi-site or director-level scope. Washington has no state income tax, though the Seattle/Puget Sound cost of living runs well above the national median. Use the free salary estimator to model your own number.
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