Best institutions to study Industrial Safety Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to assist engineers and other professionals in implementing and enforcing industrial safety standards to mitigate damage, reduce risks, and prevent accidents.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 268 Industrial Safety Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0703, a specialization of Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.07), and leads most directly to the Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3026).
About Industrial Safety Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to assist engineers and other professionals in implementing and enforcing industrial safety standards to mitigate damage, reduce risks, and prevent accidents. Includes instruction in industrial processes, industrial hygiene, injury prevention, toxicology, ergonomics, risk analysis, system and process safety, safety performance measurement, human factors, human behavior, and applicable law and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Industrial Safety Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers and other professionals in enforcing industrial safety standards. This program focuses on mitigating risks, preventing accidents, and reducing damage in various industrial settings. It is ideal for those interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills to enhance workplace safety and efficiency.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in industrial processes, safety performance measurement, risk analysis, and ergonomics. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, which are essential for ensuring adherence to safety regulations and standards.
Credentials awarded
What Industrial Safety Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree118 graduates / yr · 3 institutions44%
- Award of less than 12 weeks43 graduates / yr · 2 institutions16%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate34 graduates / yr · 2 institutions13%
- Associate's degree29 graduates / yr · 8 institutions11%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year28 graduates / yr · 9 institutions10%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years12 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.5%
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.5%
Graduates over time
Industrial Safety Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 213 |
| 2013 | 156 |
| 2014 | 535 |
| 2015 | 544 |
| 2016 | 262 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 267 |
| 2019 | 303 |
| 2020 | 266 |
| 2021 | 273 |
| 2022 | 237 |
| 2023 | 234 |
| 2024 | 258 |
| 2025 | 268 |
Top 19 institutions for Industrial Safety 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 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 114 | 50% | — | $71,240 |
| 2 | Uintah Basin Technical College Roosevelt, UTPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 42 | 86% | — | — |
| 3 | Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OKPublicBachelor's | 24 | 35% | — | $49,321 |
| 4 | Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 41% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 13 | 33% | — | $51,840 |
| 6 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 9 | 21% | — | — |
| 7 | Las Positas College Livermore, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 53% | — | — |
| 8 | San Juan College Farmington, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 37% | — | — |
| 9 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 35% | — | — |
| 10 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 6 | 35% | — | — |
| 11 | Napa Valley College Napa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 43% | — | — |
| 12 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 31% | — | — |
| 13 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OKPublicAssociate's | 4 | 42% | — | — |
| 14 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OKPublicMaster's | 4 | 32% | — | $51,356 |
| 15 | Taft College Taft, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 28% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 85% | — | — |
| 18 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAssociate's | 1 | 65% | — | — |
| 19 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 45% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 10 states
Where Industrial Safety Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 1 | 114 | Eastern Kentucky University114 / yr |
| California | 7 | 51 | Cuyamaca College16 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 42 | Uintah Basin Technical College42 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 3 | 32 | Northeastern State University24 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 13 | University of Houston - Downtown13 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 7 | San Juan College7 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 4 | Lorain County Community College4 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 2 | Fox Valley Technical College1 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 2 | University of Idaho2 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3026, Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Industrial Safety Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. With an annual growth rate of 1.7% and approximately 6,300 job openings each year, the median wage for this field is $64,790, typically requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0703
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3026 | $66,120 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~6,300 | Associate's degree |
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists SOC 19-5011 | $90,150 | +12.5% Much faster than average | ~14,900 | Bachelor'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 Safety 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
- Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
- Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
- Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
- Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
- Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
- Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.
Tools and technology used
Other Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.07).
- Occupational Safety and Health Technology/CIP 15.0701
Technician 3,546 graduates / yr58 institutions - Quality Control Technology/CIP 15.0702
Technician 442 graduates / yr49 institutions - Quality Control and Safety Technologies/CIP 15.0799
Technicians partial data121 graduates / yr9 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology/
Technician15.0704 - Process Safety Technology/
Technician15.0705
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or an Award of less than 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and monitoring, among others.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with a growth rate of 1.7% and 6,300 annual openings.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an Industrial Engineering Technologist or an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist.
What is the CIP code for Industrial Safety Technology/Technician?+
Industrial Safety Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0703 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to assist engineers and other professionals in implementing and enforcing industrial safety standards to mitigate damage, reduce risks, and prevent accidents. Includes instruction in industrial processes, industrial hygiene, injury prevention, toxicology, ergonomics, risk analysis, system and process safety, safety performance measurement, human factors, human behavior, and applicable law and regulations.
How many institutions offer Industrial Safety Technology/Technician programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Industrial Safety Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states, awarding 268 credentials in the year. That is 6.1% of all Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Industrial Safety Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Industrial Safety Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $66,120 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $51,840 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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