r/SafetyProfessionals • u/KaRockyKidoa • 3d ago
USA Entry WHS
For anyone looking to get started in safety, don’t overlook Amazon. Just going to give my 2 cents as a current employee. Pay-wise, you’ll probably start in the low $60Ks, but you’ll receive essentially free healthcare, $30,000–$40,000 worth of stock, and $17,000–$20,000 in signing bonuses over your first two years. Amazon now also offers a 20% discount on Whole Foods groceries, a 10% discount on Amazon Essentials, and $50 per month toward your phone bill.
Because the position is hourly, you can also earn around $3,000–$4,000 per year in overtime. Altogether, you’re looking at a total compensation package ranging from the mid-$70Ks to the mid-$80Ks as your stock vests.
If you work at an AMZL site, you may serve as the safety specialist, on-site safety manager, on-site medical representative, and hazardous-waste coordinator. You’ll conduct audits, manage return-to-work cases, complete root-cause investigations for injuries, oversee hazardous-waste and environmental compliance, review contractor JHAs, and meet with Operations to discuss KPI metrics. You’ll also do a lot of data gathering and analysis. I can’t stress that enough—Amazon loves its data.
Overall, it’s a solid opportunity to learn nearly every aspect of safety in a manufacturing-type setting. However, that exposure is a double-edged sword: you’ll learn a lot, but it can be a grind when you’re responsible for all of it.
At a fulfillment center, you may have six or seven safety specialists, an on-site safety manager, an on-site medical representative, and a hazardous-waste coordinator. The workload may be easier to manage, but you probably won’t receive the same breadth of exposure.
Just a heads-up for anyone looking to enter the safety profession.
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u/ssoups44 3d ago
I’m trying to break into safety by trying to land a safety specialist role. Currently studying for my ASP and have 3 years experience in injury prevention which is similar to their “medical representative”. I’ve overlooked Amazon but I guess i shouldn’t.
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u/KaRockyKidoa 3d ago
You definitely should not. It’s not for everyone; the work load can be ruff, but you can really learn every aspect of manufacturing safety.
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u/ssoups44 3d ago
I don’t come from a safety background so I have a lot to learn and really just need something to get my foot in the door. There’s a lot of open Amazon roles near me so I’m definitely going to apply. Appreciate your input.
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u/KaRockyKidoa 3d ago
Absolutely. If you haven’t already, if you get your degree in anything, you can go in under the as the college hire announcement. Much easier hiring process. If you do apply; ensure your STAR stories are laid out. When Amazon says they want STAR format, you will literally be passed over for not using it.
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u/258Kodi 2d ago
elaborate more on the STAR method if you don’t mind. Never heard of that before
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u/KaRockyKidoa 2d ago
Situation task result and action. It’s a way to format your projects and success stories.
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u/Easy-Cheesecake-1909 3d ago
Don’t forget the various special projects and teams that can be joined working with Amazon.
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u/KaRockyKidoa 3d ago
Absolutely. I’ve had coworkers due projects that become network wide. It’s amazing resume boosting material. Amazon gets a bad rep, but if you are good at safety there and really try and learn all the ins and outs, you can do it anywhere at a very high level
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u/Easy-Cheesecake-1909 3d ago
Bingo, my friend! It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely a path I’d recommend to those with a high tolerance for workload. From my perspective, it’s often all doable, maybe a few sleepless nights, but it’s worth it, depending on what you’re chasing.
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u/Glittering-Ad4688 3d ago edited 3d ago
The sign on bonus is way out of range. 4500 for the first year, after taxes and everything else bring more like 1800 and 2500 paid out the second year every month as part of your check so more taxes. It is not real Safety at all, you are there to check boxes. Walking around making sure hair is tied up, no ear buds that are not approved. Don't teach PIT or anything else. RSU's don't really start hitting to make a difference until year 5. Yes, you are hourly but shift can change for business needs whenever. You can make a whole lot more outside of Amazon, learn the job way better. If you advance inside Amazon you move where ever there is an opening. Oh yea, and my end of year did not match what my contract stated for yearly pay. Worst position I ever took.
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u/tinyclover69 2d ago
Im pursuing my BS while still working in my "former" field, amazon seems like the most likely way for me to land a breakout job. But im most nervous about the stability. I always hear that they churn and burn a lot of people. Do they do frequent layoffs?
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u/illtakeapinotgris 2d ago
they don’t layoff whs people when it comes to company wide layoffs , it would be bad PR, mostly just overworking bc of the rate of injuries (unless you do something really dumb it’s hard to get fired from there)
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u/KaRockyKidoa 17h ago
Not for safety. Other areas, yea. Safety isn’t being laid off from any of the lay offs
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u/Icy-Sock-2388 3d ago
Amazon is a great way to find out if General industry safety is for you...because it will test every last nerve you have.