Best institutions to study Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in identifying and disposing of hazardous materials.
14 U.S. institutions graduated 118 Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0508, a specialization of Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.05), and leads most directly to the Hazardous Materials Removal Workers occupation (BLS SOC 47-4041).
About Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in identifying and disposing of hazardous materials. Includes instruction in environmental safety principles, biohazard identification, testing and sampling procedures, laboratory techniques, instrumentation calibration, hazardous waste disposal procedures and systems, safety and protection procedures, equipment maintenance, and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers and other professionals in identifying and disposing of hazardous materials. This program is ideal for those interested in environmental safety and management, providing essential training for a career in hazardous materials handling and waste technology.
Students will gain knowledge in environmental safety principles, biohazard identification, testing and sampling procedures, and hazardous waste disposal methods. Coursework emphasizes critical skills such as monitoring, active listening, and compliance with safety regulations.
Credentials awarded
What Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year50 graduates / yr · 10 institutions42%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years36 graduates / yr · 4 institutions31%
- Associate's degree27 graduates / yr · 7 institutions23%
- Award of less than 12 weeks5 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.2%
Graduates over time
Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 285 |
| 2013 | 281 |
| 2014 | 134 |
| 2015 | 80 |
| 2016 | 124 |
| 2017 | 138 |
| 2018 | 141 |
| 2019 | 183 |
| 2020 | 125 |
| 2021 | 104 |
| 2022 | 126 |
| 2023 | 121 |
| 2024 | 130 |
| 2025 | 118 |
Top 14 institutions for Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 41% | — |
| 2 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 27 | 36% | — |
| 3 | Woodland Community College Woodland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 43% | — |
| 4 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 25% | — |
| 5 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 26% | — |
| 6 | De Anza College Cupertino, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 8 | 68% | — |
| 7 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 33% | — |
| 8 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 35% | — |
| 9 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 40% | — |
| 10 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 48% | — |
| 11 | Irvine Valley College Irvine, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 57% | — |
| 12 | Barton County Community College Great Bend, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 33% | — |
| 13 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 45% | — |
| 14 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 42% | — |
Offered in 3 states
Where Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 12 | 112 | Cuyamaca College28 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 4 | Ivy Tech Community College4 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 2 | Barton County Community College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-4041, Hazardous Materials Removal Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Hazardous Materials Removal Workers, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, or Environmental Engineering Technologists. With an annual opening of approximately 5,000 positions and a median wage of $48,490, job growth is projected to be stable with little or no change in the field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0508
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hazardous Materials Removal Workersprimary SOC 47-4041 | $49,450 | +1.0% Little or no change | ~5,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health SOC 19-4042 | $55,090 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Associate's degree |
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3025 | $59,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~1,100 | 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 Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/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
- Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
- Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
- Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
- Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
- Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
- Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
Tools and technology used
Other Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.05).
- HeatingCIP 15.050111,417 graduates / yr179 institutions
- Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/CIP 15.0506
Technician 860 graduates / yr56 institutions - Environmental/CIP 15.0507
Environmental Engineering Technology/ Technician 254 graduates / yr32 institutions - Environmental Control Technologies/CIP 15.0599
Technicians 120 graduates / yr13 institutions
See all Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn various awards, including an Associate's degree, or awards ranging from less than 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and safety compliance.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker or in related environmental technician roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 5,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician?+
Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0508 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in identifying and disposing of hazardous materials. Includes instruction in environmental safety principles, biohazard identification, testing and sampling procedures, laboratory techniques, instrumentation calibration, hazardous waste disposal procedures and systems, safety and protection procedures, equipment maintenance, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician programs?+
14 U.S. institutions reported Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 118 credentials in the year. That is 0.9% of all Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Hazardous Materials Removal Workers occupation, which Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $49,450 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
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