by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Hazardous Materials Management & Waste Technology covers Hazardous Materials Management And Waste Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Identifying And Disposing Of Hazardous Materials. Includes Instruction In Environmental Safety Principles, Biohazard Identification, Testing And Sampling Procedures, Laboratory Techniques, Instrumentation Calibration, Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedures And Systems, Safety And Protection Procedures, Equipment Maintenance, And Report Preparation. Read on to learn the important information every hazardous materials management & waste technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering hazardous materials management & waste technology programs.
Across the country, hazardous materials management & waste technology is a popular field of study, with 130 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Hazardous Materials Management & Waste Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for hazardous materials management & waste technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of hazardous materials management & waste technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Hazardous Materials Management & Waste Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations hazardous materials management & waste technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a hazardous materials management & waste technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a hazardous materials management & waste technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several hazardous materials management & waste technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 34 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 52 |
People currently working in careers related to hazardous materials management & waste technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 17.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 14.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 13.9% |
| Some college courses | 9.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Master’s degree | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in hazardous materials management & waste technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying hazardous materials management & waste technology can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to hazardous materials management & waste technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to hazardous materials management & waste technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Materials Removal Workers | 435,798 | 14.6% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 159,640 | 3.9% |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 135,241 | -1.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of hazardous materials management & waste technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,113 |
| 4 years | $40,833 |
| 5 years | $45,594 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for hazardous materials management & waste technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers hazardous materials management & waste technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,085 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $41,550 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Workers | $31,832 |
With 14 different hazardous materials management & waste technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased hazardous materials management & waste technology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in hazardous materials management & waste technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
