by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 5 U.S. colleges awarded 62 degrees and certificates in Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 39% of graduates. College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing, rising to $77,808 after four years.
A major in Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician covers 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., radiation protection/health physics technician is a widely-pursued major, with 62 degrees awarded annually. 5 colleges award radiation protection/health physics technician degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 18.
By level, the 62 awards include 18 certificates, 24 associate degrees, 19 bachelor’s degrees and 1 master’s degrees.
Women earned 61% of radiation protection/health physics technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (38 of 62). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (42) and Hispanic or Latino (13).
College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician Schools ranking, including 4 for associate degrees and 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks radiation protection/health physics technician schools within 3 states. In all, 5 colleges offer radiation protection/health physics technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common radiation protection/health physics technician credential is the associate degree: 24 of the 62 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to radiation protection/health physics technician call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a radiation protection/health physics technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 24 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 19 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to radiation protection/health physics technician, at 19.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 19.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 16.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.2% |
| Master’s degree | 13.4% |
| Some college courses | 7.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician, with an average median salary of $92,489; the strongest outlook belongs to Neurodiagnostic Technologists, at 14.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Medical Technologist, Polysomnographic Technologist, Patient Financial Representative and Care Navigator.
The occupation related to radiation protection/health physics technician with the most projected jobs is Patient Representatives, at 3,368,169.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Representatives | 3,368,169 | 4.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | 3,206,816 | 12.2% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 2,908,248 | 9.4% |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | 1,852,560 | 14.1% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | 91,226 | 10.3% |
| Nuclear Technicians | 83,637 | 11.8% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | 54,625 | 9.1% |
Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing their program, $77,808 after four years and $70,516 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,190 |
| 4 years | $77,808 |
| 5 years | $70,516 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to radiation protection/health physics technician is Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other, with a median salary of $153,940.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $153,940 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $153,819 |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | $115,968 |
| Nuclear Technicians | $92,140 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $81,316 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $48,647 |
| Patient Representatives | $47,419 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician has 21 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 98,412 degrees a year; the largest are Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (32,528), Physician Associate/Assistant (13,743) and Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (13,037). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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