In safety, weโre used to navigating the risks we can see and preparing for the ones we canโt. But sometimes, the risks come from within. One of those internal risks? The persistent gender pay gap. Itโs a gap that has stubbornly shadowed our industry, year after year, despite our best intentions.
Imagine this: two safety professionalsโletโs call them Jake and Sarah. Both have put in the same years of hard work, dedication, and passion to make workplaces safer. They sit at the same table, face the same challenges, and carry the same responsibilities. But when payday arrives, Jakeโs paycheck reads an annual salary of $132,550, and Sarahโs reads $114,060โa difference of $18,490.
This isnโt just a hypothetical story. Itโs the reality reflected in the latest salary survey from Safeguard Magazine. Of the 502 safety professionals surveyed in New Zealand, the gender pay gap stands starkly at $18,490 NZDโthe largest itโs been since 2018. And itโs not just a New Zealand story. Across the globe, data tells a similar tale. In the U.S., the gap averages around $11,500 USD. In Australia, it ranges anywhere from 4% to 37%, depending on role seniority.
A Look Back: The Pay Gap Over Time
Letโs rewind and walk through the data to see how this gap has evolved (or, perhaps more accurately, persisted). Over the past seven years, salaries for both male and female safety professionals have generally increased, yet the gap between them has barely budgedโand, at times, itโs widened.
Hereโs how it looks according to Safeguard’s data:
- 2018: Male $109,130 | Female $90,000 | Gap: $19,130
- 2019: Male $103,060 | Female $90,510 | Gap: $12,550
- 2020: Male $112,300 | Female $97,410 | Gap: $14,890
- 2021: Male $119,530 | Female $101,490 | Gap: $18,040
- 2022: Male $124,470 | Female $106,040 | Gap: $18,430
- 2023: Male $129,290 | Female $112,360 | Gap: $16,930
- 2024: Male $132,550 | Female $114,060 | Gap: $18,490
Over the years, weโve seen the gap fluctuate but never disappear. In fact, it seems like a case of two steps forward, one step back. Despite industry growth, progress in pay equity has been slow, and for many women in safety, this gap is a constant reminder that the playing field isnโt as level as it should be.
Why the Gap Matters
The gender pay gap isnโt just about salaries. Itโs about the message we send to the people who make our industry what it is. When we allow this gap to persist, weโre not only missing an opportunity for fairness but also risking the morale and trust of the very people we rely on to protect others.
For Sarah, or anyone in her position, itโs about feeling valued. Itโs about knowing that the industry sees her dedication, values her contributions, and stands by her. A pay gap, no matter how rationalised, can feel like a whisper that says, โWe appreciate you, justโฆ not quite as much as Jake.โ
A Call for Fairness in the Industry
Safety professionals face enough challengesโbattling for budgets, keeping people engaged, and fostering a safety culture that sticks. The last thing we need is to lose talented individuals because they feel their worth isnโt recognised. Itโs time for us to do what we do best: protect. Protect our people, our values, and our integrity.
So, whatโs next? Real change doesnโt happen overnight, but it starts with a few committed steps. Leaders can prioritise pay equity and transparency, HR teams can conduct regular pay audits, and each of us can speak up for fair practices.
Moving Forward Together
If youโre a safety professional reading this, know that change can start with you. Advocate for transparency, ask questions, and donโt shy away from the hard conversations. Itโs not just about closing a gap on a spreadsheet; itโs about building an industry that reflects the fairness and respect weโre committed to fostering in our workplaces.
Safety professionals are no strangers to hard truths, but this one hits close to home. Weโre dedicated to protecting people and making workplaces better; we should start by ensuring fairness within our own industry.
Looking for resources to help you negotiate a pay rise or career move?
Here are some of our favourites:
- Salary Negotiation: Make More Money, Be More Valued (Lengthy read but lots of useful information)
- I Doubled My Safety Salary. Hereโs How.
- How to Pitch Yourself for Promotion in Safety
- How to Land Your Next Big Safety Role
- Career Templates
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