Objective To investigate and analyze the current situation of radiation protection in non-medical radiation institutions in Nantong, China, 2023, and to provide data support for local health supervision departments to formulate more scientific and reasonable occupational health management measures. Methods Based on the radiation health information management platform of Jiangsu Province, the data reported in 2023 were collected through online questionnaire survey. Seven institutions were selected for on-site test. The survey and test data were analyzed. Results There were 1277 radiation workers in 178 institutions. The rate of individual dose monitoring was 87.31%, the rate of radiation protection training was 88.65%, and the rate of occupational health examination was 89.81%. There were significant differences in the indicators among different counties (cities and districts) (P < 0.001). The detection rate of institutions with serious occupational hazards was 92.11%, and the status evaluation rate was 85.52%. The detection rate of institutions with moderate occupational hazards was 86.27%. The installation rates of X/γ radiation protection detector and personal dose alarm instrument were 82.02% and 89.32%, respectively. The installation rates were significantly higher in high-radiation workplaces such as those with gamma irradiation devices (P = 0.004, P = 0.001). The qualified rate of 74 tested pieces of equipment was 100%. Conclusion All indicators of occupational health management in non-medical radiation institutions in Nantong are lower than the average levels of Jiangsu Province. The detection and reporting rates of radiation occupational disease hazard factors still fall short of the targets set in the national “14th Five-Year Plan” for occupational disease prevention. This indicates deficiencies in the construction of local occupational health management system and implementation of related regulations. It is suggested that the health authorities should take corresponding measures according to local conditions.