Best institutions to study Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of health physicists, occupational safety and health specialists, and public health officials, to monitor and control radiation exposure and implement preventive measures in health care, work, and natural environments.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 62 Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0916, a specialization of Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09), and leads most directly to the Occupational Health and Safety Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-5012).
About Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of health physicists, occupational safety and health specialists, and public health officials, to monitor and control radiation exposure and implement preventive measures in health care, work, and natural environments. Includes instruction in radiation physics, environmental radioactivity, radiological instrumentation, electronics of radiation detection equipment, radioactive waste management and control, safety and handling procedures, decontamination procedures, radioactivity testing and analysis, and communications skills.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician program prepares individuals to monitor and control radiation exposure in various environments, including healthcare settings. Under the guidance of health physicists and safety specialists, students learn to implement preventive measures to ensure safety from radiation hazards. This program is ideal for those interested in health professions and related fields.
Learn more about Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician →
Students in this program gain essential skills in radiation physics, radiological instrumentation, and radioactive waste management. Coursework also covers safety and handling procedures, decontamination techniques, and effective communication skills necessary for working in health and safety environments.
Credentials awarded
What Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree24 graduates / yr · 2 institutions39%
- Bachelor's degree19 graduates / yr · 3 institutions31%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions29%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.6%
Graduates over time
Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 142 |
| 2013 | 91 |
| 2014 | 122 |
| 2015 | 83 |
| 2016 | 59 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 61 |
| 2019 | 63 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 51 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 71 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 62 |
Top 5 institutions for Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia Basin College Pasco, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 18 | 33% | — | $64,223 |
| 2 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 15 | 54% | — | $71,505 |
| 3 | Aiken Technical College Graniteville, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 34% | — | $62,216 |
| 4 | College of Eastern Idaho Idaho Falls, IDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 39% | — | $86,597 |
| 5 | Lewis University Romeoville, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 67% | $17,632 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field (CIP 51.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health Diagnostic programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1 | 18 | Columbia Basin College18 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 15 | Indiana University - Indianapolis15 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 14 | Aiken Technical College14 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 13 | College of Eastern Idaho13 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | Lewis University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-5012, Occupational Health and Safety Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician program can pursue careers as Occupational Health and Safety Technicians, with a promising job outlook of 8.5% growth and approximately 3,400 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $58,440, and typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0916
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Occupational Health and Safety Techniciansprimary SOC 19-5012 | $61,560 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~3,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other SOC 29-2099 | $50,290 | +5.2% Faster than average | ~13,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Nuclear Technicians SOC 19-4051 | $110,240 | -7.7% Decline | ~700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danger or potential harm exists.
- Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
- Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices or maintenance of proper ventilation during wind turbine construction.
- Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
- Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
- Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health Diagnostic specializations
The 23 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09).
- Emergency Medical Technology/CIP 51.0904
Technician (EMT Paramedic) 32,524 graduates / yr662 institutions - Physician Associate/CIP 51.0912
Assistant 13,740 graduates / yr277 institutions - Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0911
Science - Radiographer 13,035 graduates / yr502 institutions - Surgical Technology/CIP 51.0909
Technologist 8,514 graduates / yr460 institutions - Diagnostic Medical Sonography/CIP 51.0910
Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician 7,984 graduates / yr330 institutions - Respiratory Care Therapy/CIP 51.0908
Therapist 6,816 graduates / yr389 institutions - Medical Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0907
Science - Radiation Therapist 4,302 graduates / yr212 institutions - Athletic Training/CIP 51.0913
Trainer 3,326 graduates / yr302 institutions - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09992,359 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Cardiovascular Technology/CIP 51.0901
Technologist 1,902 graduates / yr91 institutions - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/CIP 51.0920
Technician 1,327 graduates / yr62 institutions - Electrocardiograph Technology/CIP 51.0902
Technician 858 graduates / yr43 institutions - Nuclear Medical Technology/CIP 51.0905
Technologist 707 graduates / yr69 institutions - Electroneurodiagnostic/CIP 51.0903
Electroencephalographic Technology/ Technologist 302 graduates / yr31 institutions - PolysomnographyCIP 51.0917242 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Perfusion Technology/CIP 51.0906
Perfusionist 171 graduates / yr14 institutions - Gene/CIP 51.0914
Genetic Therapy partial data92 graduates / yr3 institutions - Mammography Technology/CIP 51.0919
Technician 87 graduates / yr18 institutions - Cardiopulmonary Technology/CIP 51.0915
Technologist partial data51 graduates / yr4 institutions - Orthopedic Technology/CIP 51.0923
Technician limited data22 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hearing Instrument SpecialistCIP 51.0918limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/
Technician51.0921 - Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technology/
Technician51.0922
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or various awards based on your coursework.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and safety monitoring.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician or in related health technology roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.5%.
What is the CIP code for Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician?+
Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician is CIP 51.0916 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of health physicists, occupational safety and health specialists, and public health officials, to monitor and control radiation exposure and implement preventive measures in health care, work, and natural environments. Includes instruction in radiation physics, environmental radioactivity, radiological instrumentation, electronics of radiation detection equipment, radioactive waste management and control, safety and handling procedures, decontamination procedures, radioactivity testing and analysis, and communications skills.
How many institutions offer Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 62 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.
How much do Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Occupational Health and Safety Technicians occupation, which Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,560 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field report median earnings of $71,505 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card