Best institutions to study Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills to the operation of industrial and research testing equipment using radioisotopes.
8 U.S. institutions graduated 182 Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 41.0204, a specialization of Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.02), and leads most directly to the Nuclear Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4051).
About Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills to the operation of industrial and research testing equipment using radioisotopes. Includes instruction in x-ray analysis of materials, nondestructive testing and inspection of materials, and continuous measurement of paper or metal thickness.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in the operation of industrial and research testing equipment that utilizes radioisotopes. This program is ideal for those interested in monitoring and ensuring the safety and efficiency of nuclear equipment in various industrial settings.
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as public safety, mechanical systems, physics, and engineering technology. Core skills developed include monitoring, critical thinking, and effective communication, alongside hands-on experience with x-ray analysis and nondestructive testing techniques.
Credentials awarded
What Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years106 graduates / yr · 8 institutions58%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year51 graduates / yr · 4 institutions28%
- Associate's degree25 graduates / yr · 4 institutions14%
Graduates over time
Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 184 |
| 2013 | 221 |
| 2014 | 180 |
| 2015 | 167 |
| 2016 | 236 |
| 2017 | 180 |
| 2018 | 246 |
| 2019 | 195 |
| 2020 | 140 |
| 2021 | 204 |
| 2022 | 305 |
| 2023 | 191 |
| 2024 | 213 |
| 2025 | 182 |
Top 8 institutions for Industrial Radiologic 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 75 | 45% | — | $42,232 |
| 2 | South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 47 | 30% | — | $40,042 |
| 3 | Southern Arkansas University Tech Camden, ARPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 62% | — | — |
| 4 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 28% | — | — |
| 5 | Wichita State University - Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 11 | 43% | — | — |
| 6 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 10 | 29% | — | — |
| 7 | Wharton County Junior College Wharton, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 27% | — | — |
| 8 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 31% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 41.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 7 states
Where Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 2 | 86 | Cowley County Community College75 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 47 | South Louisiana Community College47 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 14 | Southern Arkansas University Tech14 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 12 | Pima Community College12 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 10 | Salt Lake Community College10 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 7 | Wharton County Junior College7 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 6 | Central Piedmont Community College6 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4051, Nuclear Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program often pursue careers as Nuclear Technicians, with an annual median wage of $104,240. The job outlook indicates a decline of 7.7%, with approximately 700 annual openings, typically requiring an Associate's degree for entry into the field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 41.0204
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nuclear Techniciansprimary 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 Industrial Radiologic 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
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
Tools and technology used
Other Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.02).
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically awards credentials ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and effective communication, among others.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates commonly work as Nuclear Technicians in various industrial settings.
What is the job outlook for Nuclear Technicians?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 7.7%, with around 700 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician?+
Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician is CIP 41.0204 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills to the operation of industrial and research testing equipment using radioisotopes. Includes instruction in x-ray analysis of materials, nondestructive testing and inspection of materials, and continuous measurement of paper or metal thickness.
How many institutions offer Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician programs?+
8 U.S. institutions reported Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 182 credentials in the year. That is 66.2% of all Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Nuclear Technicians occupation, which Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $110,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $42,232 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.
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