EngineeringOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1003–5 years

3–5 Years Experience Safety Engineer Salary in San Francisco

2026 · Professionals with 3–5 years building toward senior-level expertise.

$166,432/yr

Typical range: $143,120 $214,451

P25–P50 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Safety Engineer Salary Progression in San Francisco

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$122,634$10,220
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$148,913$12,409+21%
Mid-LevelThis page4 yrs4 yrs$166,432$13,869+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$188,507$15,709+54%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$241,765$20,147+97%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$283,811$23,651+131%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$294,323$24,527+140%
Current Salary
$166,432
3–5 Years Experience · 3–5 years
Hourly: $80/hr
Next Level Target
$188,507
Senior · 6
+$22Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
44/100
Below Average
+8% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 3–5 years experience Safety Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?

3–5 Years Experience Safety Engineers in San Francisco, CA earn approximately $166K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P25–P50 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a 3–5 years experience Safety Engineer make per hour in San Francisco, CA?

Based on $166K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $80/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from 3–5 years experience to senior Safety Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Safety Engineer in San Francisco, CA earns $214K–$257K/yr.