by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 58 U.S. colleges awarded 3,546 degrees and certificates in Occupational Safety & Health Technology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Occupational Safety & Health Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $67,389 one year after completing, rising to $83,883 after four years.
A degree in Occupational Safety & Health Technology covers 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. 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: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, occupational safety & health technology is a widely-pursued major, with 3,546 degrees awarded annually. 58 colleges award occupational safety & health technology degrees, an average of 61 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 2,166.
By level, the 3,546 awards include 57 certificates, 754 associate degrees, 1,649 bachelor’s degrees, 1,009 master’s degrees and 5 doctorates.
Women earned 26% of occupational safety & health technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (932 of 3,546). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,168) and Black or African American (439), and international students earned 36.
College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Occupational Safety & Health Technology Schools ranking, including 6 for associate degrees, 18 for bachelor’s degrees and 10 for master’s degrees. It also ranks occupational safety & health technology schools within 16 states. In all, 58 colleges offer occupational safety & health technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Occupational Safety & Health Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common occupational safety & health technology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,649 of the 3,546 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to occupational safety & health technology call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Chemistry and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an occupational safety & health technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 57 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 754 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,649 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,009 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to occupational safety & health technology, at 73.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 73.9% |
| Master’s degree | 8.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 8.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Occupational Safety & Health Technology, with an average median salary of $105,544; the strongest outlook belongs to Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, at 2.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Sanitary Inspector, Environmental Health Inspector, Sanitation Officer and EHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer).
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to occupational safety & health technology, at 72,502.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 72,502 | 2.7% |
Occupational Safety & Health Technology graduates earn a median $67,389 one year after completing their program, $83,883 after four years and $79,621 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,389 |
| 4 years | $83,883 |
| 5 years | $79,621 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to occupational safety & health technology, with a median salary of $105,544.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,544 |
Occupational Safety & Health Technology has 3 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 831 degrees a year; the largest are Quality Control Technology/Technician (442), Industrial Safety Technology/Technician (268) and Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians, Other (121). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Quality Control Technology/Technician | 442 |
| Industrial Safety Technology/Technician | 268 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians, Other | 121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
