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Health Physicist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Health Physicist information

See Iowa salary details

$37.1K

$89K

$212.7K

How much do health physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for health physicist in Iowa is $89,047.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,400.00 and $105,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a health physicist do?

As a health physicist, your job is to monitor radiation levels, evaluate the compliance of radiation-using facilities with safety regulations, and inspect buildings and equipment. In this career, you may conduct assessments, train local staff on safety protocols, help create new policies and procedures, and conduct radiological surveys. Some health physicists work exclusively for one facility, while others travel to different areas. Health physicists also spend time learning new procedures, studying new equipment, and adapting to a changing work environment. You may be asked to provide input on how radiation may affect patients, implants, or specific aspects of the health care process.

What is the difference between Health Physicist vs Radiation Safety Officer?

AspectHealth PhysicistRadiation Safety Officer
CredentialsCertification (e.g., CHP), degree in health physics or related fieldSimilar certifications, often CHP, with focus on safety protocols
Work EnvironmentHospitals, nuclear facilities, research labsIndustrial sites, medical facilities, regulatory agencies
Industry UsageDesigning safety programs, radiation protection, complianceImplementing safety procedures, monitoring radiation exposure

Both roles focus on radiation safety and require similar certifications, but Health Physicists often engage in technical assessments and program development, while Radiation Safety Officers primarily oversee safety compliance and daily monitoring. Their work environments and responsibilities overlap, but their specific focus areas differ within the radiation safety field.

Are health physicists in demand?

Health physicists are in demand due to the need for radiation safety in medical, nuclear, and research facilities. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as regulations increase and new technologies emerge, often requiring certifications such as the Certified Health Physicist credential.

What are some common challenges faced by health physicists in maintaining radiation safety in diverse work environments?

Health physicists often work in varied settings, such as hospitals, research laboratories, or nuclear facilities, where each environment presents unique radiation safety challenges. They must stay current with evolving regulations, adapt safety protocols to new technologies, and ensure that all staff understand and follow proper procedures. Balancing administrative duties, onsite inspections, and ongoing training can be demanding, but these efforts are crucial for maintaining a safe workplace and minimizing radiation exposure risks.

What is a health physicist?

A Health Physicist is a professional who specializes in radiation protection and the safe use of radioactive materials. They work to ensure that people and the environment are protected from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation in settings such as hospitals, research labs, nuclear power plants, and industry. Health Physicists develop safety procedures, monitor radiation levels, and help ensure compliance with government regulations. Their work is essential for minimizing radiation risks while allowing for the beneficial uses of radiation in medicine, research, and energy production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a health physicist?

To thrive as a Health Physicist, you need a strong background in physics, radiation safety, and health science, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health physics or a related field. Familiarity with radiation detection instruments, dosimetry software, and relevant certifications such as Certified Health Physicist (CHP) are commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are critical soft skills for assessing hazards and advising on safety protocols. These competencies are essential for ensuring regulatory compliance, protecting public health, and maintaining safe environments where ionizing radiation is present.
More about Health Physicist jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Health Physicist jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Health Physicist jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Health Physicist jobs in Iowa? For Health Physicist jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Health Physicist jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Health Physicist jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Health Physicist jobs in IA? For Health Physicist jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Health Physicist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Health Physicist job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,047 per year, or $42.8 per hour.

Safety & Occupational Health Specialist

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Ames, IA • On-site

$62K/yr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

USDA Forest Service rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 119 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

166th of 290 rated public sector bodies

Job description

As a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist within the National Centers for Animal Health Safety and Security Unit, you will work to eliminate or control hazardous operations or conditions in the Veterinary Services program and be responsible for participating in the planning, development, and implementation of an occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, and wellness program specific to assignments given by the Safety Manager.Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
BASIC REQUIREMENT: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist (0018):
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology.
OR Specialized Experience: Experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Managing safety or occupational health program elements. Developing and recommending safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management. Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements. These examples are not all inclusive.
In addition to the individual occupational requirements for the 0018 job series, applicants must meet the following:
FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Promoting program training activities designed to achieve awareness of safety hazards and corresponding preventive procedures.
  • Surveying workplaces, processes, and products for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards while identifying potential work hazards and risks.
  • Identifying and clearly communicating safety and health hazards in various working conditions from offices to rural farm locations.
  • Applying standard safety and occupational health laws, regulations, procedures, practices, and following equipment guides in various working environments to aid in promoting the adoption of safe working patterns.
OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, in a major area of study in the safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or in other related fields of study that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology..
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:Please see above for education qualification requirement information.
If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program, see: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.Employment Type: OTHER

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