Driver and Safety Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Driver and Safety Education is a specialized academic field focused on equipping educators with the knowledge and skills to deliver comprehensive instruction in safe and responsible vehicle operation. The program prepares professionals to design and implement curricula that promote traffic safety awareness, defensive driving techniques, and legal compliance across diverse educational environments.
- Defensive Driving Strategies: Covers proactive techniques to anticipate and avoid potential road hazards, emphasizing situational awareness and risk mitigation.
- Vehicle Operation Fundamentals: Explores the mechanics and safe handling of motor vehicles, including controls, systems, and performance under various conditions.
- Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Examines traffic laws, state regulations, licensing procedures, and the legal responsibilities of drivers and educators.
- Curriculum Development and Instructional Design: Focuses on creating effective, age-appropriate lesson plans and teaching methods tailored to different learning environments.
- Human Factors in Driving: Investigates psychological, physiological, and behavioral elements affecting driver performance, including fatigue, distraction, and impaired judgment.
- Emergency Response and Safety Procedures: Teaches protocols for handling accidents, first aid basics, and safe evacuation techniques in vehicular incidents.
- Technology in Driver Education: Integrates modern tools such as simulation software, digital learning platforms, and data-driven safety analytics into instructional delivery.
Driver and Safety Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Driver and Safety Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Driver and Safety Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Teachers and Instructors, All Other and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,256,640 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other 25-3099 | $64,690 | $33,280 - $116,690 | 125,010 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
Driver and Safety Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,783 in Missouri to $97,963 in Rhode Island—a 76% difference. The highest-paying states include Rhode Island, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,256,640 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Driver and Safety Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Driver and Safety Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Driver and Safety Education is found at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) (19 graduates), Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) (17 graduates), Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) (8 graduates), and White Mountains Community College (WMCC) (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 52 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) |
Other Award
|
19 | Fennimore, Wisconsin | Public | swtc.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| White Mountains Community College (WMCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Berlin, New Hampshire | Public | wmcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Driver and Safety Education programs
How much can I earn with a Driver and Safety Education degree?
Salaries for Driver and Safety Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Teachers and Instructors, All Other earn around $64,690. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Rhode Island average $97,963 compared to $55,783 in Missouri. Approximately 1,256,640 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Driver and Safety Education programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Driver and Safety Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) (19 graduates), Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) (17 graduates), and Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) (8 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Driver and Safety Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 10 in 2010 to 52 in 2023-24. This represents a 420% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Driver and Safety Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Teachers and Instructors, All Other, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,256,640 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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