Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for a critical role in environmental protection and public safety, this program equips students with the technical expertise needed to support professionals in the identification, handling, and responsible disposal of hazardous materials. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications of engineering fundamentals, regulatory compliance, and safe operational practices across industrial, laboratory, and waste management settings.
- Environmental safety principles: Core frameworks for minimizing ecological impact and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during hazardous material handling and disposal.
- Biohazard identification: Methods for recognizing biological agents that pose risks to human health and ecosystems, including pathogens and infectious waste.
- Testing and sampling procedures: Standardized protocols for collecting, preserving, and analyzing material samples to assess contamination levels and compliance status.
- Laboratory techniques: Hands-on skills in safe handling, processing, and analysis of hazardous substances within controlled laboratory environments.
- Instrumentation calibration: Procedures to ensure precision and reliability of detection and monitoring equipment used in hazardous material assessment.
- Hazardous waste disposal procedures and systems: Comprehensive knowledge of regulated waste streams, treatment options, and disposal methods aligned with federal and state standards.
- Safety and protection procedures: Best practices for personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency response, and risk mitigation in high-exposure environments.
- Equipment maintenance: Routine inspection, servicing, and troubleshooting of tools and systems used in hazardous material operations to ensure operational integrity.
- Report preparation: Development of clear, accurate documentation for regulatory submissions, incident logs, and operational summaries.
Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology degrees, including Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health and Hazardous Materials Removal Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 102,460 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3025 | $58,890 | $39,670 - $92,280 | 12,500 | $28.31 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 19-4042 | $49,490 | $36,130 - $85,630 | 39,390 | $23.79 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Workers 47-4041 | $48,490 | $37,330 - $82,480 | 50,570 | $23.31 |
Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,190 in Arkansas to $78,377 in Washington—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, District of Columbia, and Tennessee. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 102,460 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology is found at Allan Hancock College (50 graduates), Woodland Community College (WCC) (14 graduates), Cuyamaca College (13 graduates), De Anza College (11 graduates), and Rio Hondo College (RHC) (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 130 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Hancock College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
50 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Woodland Community College (WCC) |
Other Award
|
14 | Woodland, California | Public | wcc.yccd.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| De Anza College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Barton County Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Great Bend, Kansas | Public | bartonccc.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
3 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Santiago Canyon College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Orange, California | Public | sccollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology degree?
Salaries for Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology graduates vary by role and location. Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $58,890 annually, while Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health earn around $49,490. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $78,377 compared to $42,190 in Arkansas. Approximately 102,460 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Allan Hancock College (50 graduates), Woodland Community College (WCC) (14 graduates), and Cuyamaca College (13 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 224 in 2010 to 130 in 2023-24. This represents a 42% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Hazardous Materials and Waste Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health, and Hazardous Materials Removal Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 102,460 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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