The Property, Facilities Management, and Corporate sectors are undergoing significant change in how Health and Safety is perceived and delivered. Professionals in these sectors are now expected to contribute far beyond compliance, playing central roles in ESG strategy, risk management, business continuity, and cultural change.
The common thread across these sectors is delivering health and safety across major property portfolios, often in complex, geographically diverse environments. A major recent shift, particularly for those managing high-risk buildings, has been the impact of the Building Safety Act. As organisations navigate this legislation, health and safety professionals are increasingly required to bring together multifaceted teams to develop Building Safety Cases, move through gateway processes, and ensure compliance.
At the same time, the sector is experiencing rapid growth in digital safety and the adoption of ‘Safety Tech’. From reporting tools and wearables to drones and augmented reality, new technologies are reshaping the sector. Health and Safety leaders are under growing pressure to understand and deploy these tools, with clients actively seeking professionals who can operate effectively in this new digital environment.
Below, we outline the current salary benchmarks for Health and Safety professionals across Property, Facilities Management, and Corporate settings, based on our latest market insights.
Salary Benchmarks
Health and Safety Coordinator: £27,000 - £40,000
Typical responsibilities include managing data sets, coordinating training, and producing Board packs and general administration tasks for the team. Strong digital literacy is becoming increasingly essential as AI-driven tools automate much of the administrative workload.
Health and Safety Advisor / Senior Advisor: £45,000 - £55,000
Generally requires a NEBOSH Certificate (or equivalent). These roles focus on operational safety across departments or regions, delivering health and safety ‘on the ground’. Senior Advisors may lead initiatives or mentor junior staff. Roles in regulated industries or those involving extensive stakeholder engagement typically offer higher salaries. Multi-site roles often include a car or car allowance. Typical hybrid split is 3-4 days in the office or on site with 1-2 days from home.
Health and Safety Manager/ Senior Manager: £60,000 - £75,000
Oversees safety performance across business units or geographies, often managing a small team. Employers generally expect candidates to hold, or be working towards, Cert IOSH (formerly Grad IOSH).
Head of Health and Safety: £85,000 - £110,000
The senior safety role in many mid-sized corporates. Responsible for strategic risk, compliance, and culture change, and usually sits on the senior leadership team. Packages often include car allowances and bonuses of 15% or more.
Health and Safety Director (UK/European Remit): £110,000 - £150,000
Leads the function, typically reporting into the Board, though in some cases holding a Board seat. May also oversee Environment, Sustainability, and Quality. Packages often include profit share, substantial bonuses, and, in some cases, equity.
Group Director / Global Head of Health and Safety: £150,000+
Executive-level positions in large multinational organisations, shaping global safety strategy and ESG alignment. Packages vary widely depending on geographic remit, risk level, and team size, but typically include long-term incentives, share options (we see this more with US-based companies), and substantial bonuses.
How Employers Can Stay Ahead
Health and Safety professionals in Property, Facilities Management, and Corporate settings are increasingly multidisciplinary, blending compliance expertise with strategic thinking and digital fluency.
Top candidates are often weighing multiple offers and looking at more than salary alone. They evaluate:
Organisational reputation and leadership culture
ESG and safety performance, supported by a clear strategy
Career development and progression pathways
Flexibility and remote/hybrid working options
Employers with slow processes, unclear growth plans, or weak safety governance are losing out to competitors offering purpose and long-term opportunity.
To attract and retain the best talent, employers should:
Set clear and competitive salaries
Understand the skills associated with each salary level
Move quickly and communicate clearly during recruitment
Offer visible career progression, particularly for strategic roles
Partner with recruiters who know the market and can engage passive candidates
Organisations that act decisively, invest in safety culture, and provide meaningful career paths will be best positioned to secure top-tier professionals in a highly competitive market.
If you’d like to benchmark your salaries or grow your team, please contact Matthew Cathcart, who leads our Property, Facilities Management, and Corporate Sectors.
T: 01923 432 636
E: Matthew.Cathcart@irwinandcolton.com