NEBOSH Diploma Rewards Higher Salaries

The 2016 NEBOSH Jobs Barometer study has indicated that holding a professional qualification makes a considerable difference to the salary expectations open to health and safety managers. 

The annual study by NEBOSH analyses nationally advertised safety, health and environmental employment opportunities during January and February 2016, with the latest results showing the average top end salary for those required to have a NEBOSH Diploma qualification was £50,000, over 16% higher than the £43,000 offered when a NEBOSH Diploma wasn’t specified. 

NEBOSH qualifications are widely considered to be the benchmark of a good health and safety professional. The latest study showed that overall:

• 83% of job advertisements demanded candidates hold a NEBOSH qualification
• 54% of job advertisements specified the NEBOSH Diploma
• 45% of vacancies called for NEBOSH Certificate level qualifications, up by 7% in 2015
• 93% of positions asked for either some form of NEBOSH qualification and/or Membership of IOSH.

Salaries by sector

The NEBOSH research found that the construction and civil engineering sector continues to dominate safety, health and environmental (SHE) positions, however, the average high-end salary actually decreased to £47,000, down from £50K in 2015. 

The second biggest industry, manufacturing, continues to show strong growth and development, with the number of SHE job opportunities advertised within this sector growing from 13% to 20% and average top-end salaries being £45,000, up from £38,000 in 2015.

The retail sector showed the highest average top-end salary this year at £55,000, followed closely by property management at £48,000. These high salaries on offer are a clear illustration of the high standards expected from senior health and safety professionals.

UK regions for SHE jobs

London and the south east continue to dominate in the number of jobs advertised. However SHE job vacancies in the North West has grown significantly by 11% since 2015. In Scotland there was an increase of 4% of SHE roles advertised.

NEBOSH Chief Executive Teresa Budworth commented on the latest findings saying:

“Once again we are seeing employers demanding professional qualifications and a clear willingness to reward those who value their continuing professional development with better salaries” .

Read the full Jobs Barometer 2016 study on the NEBOSH website here.

Interested in gaining a NEBOSH qualification? Click to view our complete list of NEBOSH courses.