Industrial Safety Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Industrial Safety Technology equips professionals with the foundational knowledge and technical expertise needed to support the development, implementation, and enforcement of safety protocols across industrial environments. This program focuses on reducing workplace hazards, minimizing operational risks, and preventing accidents through systematic analysis and proactive safety strategies.
- Industrial Processes: Study of manufacturing and production systems to identify potential safety vulnerabilities and optimize safe operational workflows.
- Industrial Hygiene: Evaluation and control of environmental factors—such as airborne contaminants and noise—that may impact worker health.
- Injury Prevention: Development and application of strategies to reduce the likelihood and severity of workplace injuries through engineering controls and safe work practices.
- Toxicology: Analysis of chemical substances’ effects on human health to inform exposure limits and protective measures in hazardous work settings.
- Ergonomics: Design of workspaces and tasks to align with human physical and cognitive capabilities, reducing strain and injury risk.
- Risk Analysis: Systematic assessment of potential hazards and their consequences to prioritize safety interventions and allocate resources effectively.
- System and Process Safety: Application of engineering principles to identify, monitor, and manage risks in complex industrial systems and operations.
- Safety Performance Measurement: Use of data-driven metrics and KPIs to evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs and drive continuous improvement.
- Human Factors: Examination of how human behavior, perception, and decision-making influence safety outcomes in industrial contexts.
- Applicable Law and Regulations: Comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and industry-specific safety standards, including OSHA requirements and compliance protocols.
Industrial Safety Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Industrial Safety Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Industrial Safety Technology degrees, including Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians. 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 201,840 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 19-5011 | $83,910 | $50,610 - $130,460 | 128,430 | $40.34 |
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3026 | $64,790 | $46,370 - $97,670 | 73,410 | $31.15 |
Industrial Safety Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $64,925 in South Dakota to $115,710 in District of Columbia—a 78% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Wyoming, and Alaska. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 201,840 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 Industrial Safety Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 17 institutions offering Industrial Safety 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 Industrial Safety Technology is found at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) (110 graduates), Lorain County Community College (LCCC) (44 graduates), University of Houston (UHD), Downtown (19 graduates), Northeastern State University (NSU) (17 graduates), and Cuyamaca College (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 258 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
110 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Residency
|
44 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
University of Houston (UHD) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhd.edu |
Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
Cuyamaca College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
Bakersfield College (BC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
Taft College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Taft, California | Public | taftcollege.edu |
Southeastern Oklahoma State University |
Master's
|
7 | Durant, Oklahoma | Public | se.edu |
Napa Valley College (NVC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Napa, California | Public | napavalley.edu |
Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
Southwestern College (SWC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
Las Positas College (LPC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Livermore, California | Public | laspositascollege.edu |
San Juan College (SJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Farmington, New Mexico | Public | sanjuancollege.edu |
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | commonwealthu.edu |
University of Idaho (U of I) |
Other Award
|
2 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
University of Pittsburgh |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Industrial Safety Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Industrial Safety Technology degree?
Salaries for Industrial Safety Technology graduates vary by role and location. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earn a median of $83,910 annually, while Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn around $64,790. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $115,710 compared to $64,925 in South Dakota. Approximately 201,840 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 Industrial Safety Technology programs?
Currently 17 accredited institutions offer Industrial Safety Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) (110 graduates), Lorain County Community College (LCCC) (44 graduates), and University of Houston (UHD), Downtown (19 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 Industrial Safety Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 197 in 2010 to a peak of 267 in 2020, before declining slightly to 258 in 2023-24. This represents a 31% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Industrial Safety Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, . Related occupations employ approximately 201,840 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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