Best institutions to study Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in maintaining job-related health and safety standards.
58 U.S. institutions graduated 3,546 Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0701, a specialization of Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.07), and leads most directly to the Occupational Health and Safety Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 19-5011).
About Occupational Safety and Health 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 maintaining job-related health and safety standards. Includes instruction in safety engineering principles, inspection and monitoring procedures, testing and sampling procedures, laboratory techniques, applications to specific work environments, and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician program prepares students to support engineers and other professionals in maintaining health and safety standards in various work environments. This program is ideal for individuals interested in ensuring workplace safety and compliance with regulations while applying engineering principles and technical skills.
Students will gain knowledge in safety engineering principles, inspection and monitoring procedures, laboratory techniques, and report preparation. Core skills developed include active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, all essential for promoting workplace safety.
Credentials awarded
What Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,649 graduates / yr · 23 institutions47%
- Master's degree791 graduates / yr · 15 institutions22%
- Associate's degree754 graduates / yr · 24 institutions21%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year179 graduates / yr · 15 institutions5.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks72 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years57 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate38 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,305 |
| 2013 | 2,670 |
| 2014 | 2,816 |
| 2015 | 3,127 |
| 2016 | 3,492 |
| 2017 | 3,546 |
| 2018 | 3,379 |
| 2019 | 3,315 |
| 2020 | 3,406 |
| 2021 | 3,002 |
| 2022 | 2,873 |
| 2023 | 2,727 |
| 2024 | 3,142 |
| 2025 | 3,546 |
Top 50 institutions for Occupational Safety and Health 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 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, ALPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 2,166 | 33% | $15,554 | $78,532 |
| 2 | Waldorf University Forest City, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 136 | 21% | $22,328 | $65,908 |
| 3 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor's | 128 | 66% | — | $67,072 |
| 4 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 99 | 21% | $21,266 | — |
| 5 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 72 | 56% | — | $68,996 |
| 6 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 69 | 61% | — | $66,418 |
| 7 | Keene State College Keene, NHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 63 | 60% | — | $63,479 |
| 8 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MOPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 62 | 54% | — | $67,263 |
| 9 | Odessa College Odessa, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 61 | 37% | — | — |
| 10 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OKPublicBachelor's | 54 | 32% | — | $51,356 |
| 11 | San Juan College Farmington, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 47 | 37% | — | — |
| 12 | Lee College Baytown, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 53% | — | — |
| 13 | Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 56% | — | — |
| 14 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 30 | 51% | — | $58,388 |
| 15 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 46% | — | $33,249 |
| 16 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 26 | 67% | $38,899 | — |
| 17 | Lamar Institute of Technology Beaumont, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 26 | 31% | — | — |
| 18 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, ALPublicBachelor's | 22 | 55% | — | $57,466 |
| 19 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 35% | — | — |
| 20 | Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 56% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicBachelor's | 21 | 59% | — | $70,016 |
| 22 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PAPublicBachelor's | 20 | 58% | — | $63,706 |
| 23 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 19 | 43% | — | $71,755 |
| 24 | Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 54% | — | — |
| 25 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicMaster's | 19 | 65% | — | — |
| 26 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 18 | 20% | — | — |
| 27 | Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TXPublicAssociate's | 16 | 11% | — | $34,991 |
| 28 | Honolulu Community College Honolulu, HIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 14 | 25% | — | — |
| 29 | Marshall University Huntington, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 51% | — | $67,923 |
| 30 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 13 | 30% | — | — |
| 31 | University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MNPublicMaster's | 13 | 65% | — | — |
| 32 | Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 45% | — | $55,514 |
| 33 | Central Community College Grand Island, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 48% | — | — |
| 34 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KSPublicBachelor's | 11 | 57% | — | $69,750 |
| 35 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WAPublicBachelor's | 11 | 54% | — | $77,500 |
| 36 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicMaster's | 10 | 94% | — | — |
| 37 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor's | 10 | 67% | — | $58,781 |
| 38 | Fairmont State University Fairmont, WVPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 10 | 44% | — | $48,423 |
| 39 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster's | 9 | 63% | — | — |
| 40 | College of the Mainland Texas City, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 9 | 31% | — | — |
| 41 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 7 | 29% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicMaster's | 7 | 55% | — | — |
| 43 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicMaster's | 6 | 85% | — | — |
| 44 | Carl Albert State College Poteau, OKPublicAssociate's | 6 | 43% | — | — |
| 45 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAssociate's | 6 | 30% | — | — |
| 46 | Barton County Community College Great Bend, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 33% | — | — |
| 47 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 5 | 17% | — | — |
| 48 | Thiel College Greenville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 49% | $22,464 | — |
| 49 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 34% | — | — |
| 50 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 31% | — | — |
* 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 25 states
Where Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-5011, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program often pursue careers as Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 12.5% and approximately 14,900 annual job openings. The median wage for this occupation is $83,910, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0701
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 Specialistsprimary SOC 19-5011 | $90,150 | +12.5% Much faster than average | ~14,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Occupational Safety and Health 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
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
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).
- Quality Control Technology/CIP 15.0702
Technician 442 graduates / yr49 institutions - Industrial Safety Technology/CIP 15.0703
Technician 268 graduates / yr19 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 degrees are awarded in this program?+
Degrees awarded include Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, and short-term awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and safety monitoring.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 12.5%.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 58 colleges offering the Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician?+
Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0701 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 in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in maintaining job-related health and safety standards. Includes instruction in safety engineering principles, inspection and monitoring procedures, testing and sampling procedures, laboratory techniques, applications to specific work environments, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician programs?+
58 U.S. institutions reported Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 25 states, awarding 3,546 credentials in the year. That is 81.0% of all Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Occupational Health and Safety Specialists occupation, which Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $90,150 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $65,908 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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