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. 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.
- Schools offering
- 5
- Annual completions
- 43
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $67k
About this major
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.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +17.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Health technologists and technicians, all other | $49k | +5.2% | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Occupational health and safety technicians | $58k | +8.5% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Nuclear technicians | $104k | -7.7% | Associate's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$67k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$65k
Bachelor's
$71k
Top colleges for Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken Technical College | Graniteville, SC | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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