by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Industrial Safety Technology involves the study of Industrial Safety Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills To Assist Engineers And Other Professionals In Implementing And Enforcing Industrial Safety Standards To Mitigate Damage, Reduce Risks, And Prevent Accidents. Includes Instruction In Industrial Processes, Industrial Hygiene, Injury Prevention, Toxicology, Ergonomics, Risk Analysis, System And Process Safety, Safety Performance Measurement, Human Factors, Human Behavior, And Applicable Law And Regulations. Continue reading for the important information every industrial safety technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering industrial safety technology programs.
In the U.S., industrial safety technology is a widely-pursued major, with 258 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Industrial Safety Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 17 schools to determine the best overall colleges for industrial safety technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of industrial safety technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Industrial Safety Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations industrial safety technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a industrial safety technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a industrial safety technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several industrial safety 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 | 26 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 120 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 65 |
People currently working in careers related to industrial safety technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.1% |
| Some college courses | 20.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 16.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.4% |
| Master’s degree | 4.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in industrial safety technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying industrial safety technology can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to industrial safety technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to industrial safety technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 72,502 | 2.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of industrial safety technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,389 |
| 4 years | $70,808 |
| 5 years | $79,621 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for industrial safety technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers industrial safety technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,544 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
With 17 different industrial safety technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased industrial safety technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering industrial safety technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician | 3,147 |
| Quality Control Technology/Technician | 422 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians, Other | 111 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
