See how Manitoba and Saskatchewan stack up when it comes to salaries and designations
COS has decided to take a look at how safety careers compare across provinces. Over the next few weeks we shall be covering each province and territory to see how each stack up when its comes to factors like salary, education and designations. In this article, we cover Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Previously, COS looked at Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
With the profession as-of-yet unregulated and salaries varying from province to province, choosing a career as a safety officer is an interesting bet – but a worthwhile one. The role of OHS professional is incredibly fulfilling. “It's so rewarding the feeling that I get when I help people [and] provide safety solutions. The feeling that I get from helping people, money can’t buy,” says Amandeep Beesla, Director of Safety Insight & Innovation at Salus Technologies.
And though the profession is unregulated, employers do typically look for individuals with the right education and experience. Because OHS is regulated on a provincial level, requirements may differ.
NB: Salary estimates can vary depending on which aggregator you use, and can also vary depending on factors such as industry, title, company, seniority, location, etc. The numbers in this article are merely indicative of potential earnings.
Manitoba
Requirements: As with other jurisdictions in Canada, you will need some form of post-secondary education as well as a certain number of years of experience depending on the employer (who may also ask for a professional designation). Certain roles may ask for more specific criteria. For example, to become a safety and health officer for Workplace Safety and Health (Labour and Regulatory Services) in Winnipeg, individuals need a valid Class 5 driver’s license with the ability to operate a Government-owned/leased vehicle in all seasons.
Salary: Indeed.com lists the average salary for a safety officer in Manitoba as $67,501/year. A higher estimate from the Economic Research Institute (ERI) says that a health and safety officer in Manitoba could earn on average $83,362/year.
Education*: Herzing College Winnipeg (OHS Diploma), Red River College Polytechnic (OHS Certificate).
Designations/certifications: Certified Registered Safety Technician (CRST), Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH), Certified Health & Safety Consultant (CHSC), Certified Canadian Health and Safety Management System Auditor (CHSMSA), Certified Occupational Health Nurse – Canada (COHN [C]), Gold Seal Certified Construction Safety Coordinator (GSC-CSC) and National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO).
Saskatchewan
Requirements: As with Manitoba, safety hopefuls in Saskatchewan will need some form of post-secondary education as well as a number of years of experience and potentially a professional designation (depending on the employer).
Salary: According to talent.com, safety specialists in Saskatchewan earn the highest salaries in Canada with an estimated yearly salary of $71,340. Indeed.com places the number even higher, at $74,168/year. And ERI says that occupational health and safety specialists in Saskatchewan earn around $86,668/year.
Education: Saskatchewan Polytechnic (OHS Certificate).
Designations/certifications: CRST, CRSP, ROH, CHSC, CHSMSA, COHN [C], (GSC-CSC) and NCSO.
*OHS programs approved by the BCRSP for CRSP and CRST eligibility.
