Radiation Therapists earn a median of $105,310 per year ($50.63/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 2.8% through 2035, with about 700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 29-1124
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Radiation Therapist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $105,310a year, or $50.63/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $81KTop 10% $157K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.8%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 70017,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202517.4K
- Projected 203517.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 17.4K Projected 2035 17.9K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate8.9%
- Some college3.5%
- Associate's50.1%
- Bachelor's37.5%
Highest education held by radiation therapists Segment Value Certificate 8.9% Some college 3.5% Associate's 50.1% Bachelor's 37.5%
Also advertised as: Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist), Dosimetrist, Radiation Therapist (RT), Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT), Registered Radiation Therapist, Staff Radiation Therapist.
Pay
How much do Radiation Therapists make?
Every radiation therapist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$105,310
Middle half earn $92,060 to $126,340
- 10th
- $80,560
- 25th
- $92,060
- 75th
- $126,340
- 90th
- $156,710
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $80,560 |
| 25th | $92,060 |
| Median | $105,310 |
| 75th | $126,340 |
| 90th | $156,710 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $105,310
- Median hourly wage
- $50.63/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $114,990
- People employed
- 17,070
Versus all US occupations
At $105,310, Radiation Therapists earn 107% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $54,330 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
The median is typical for the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $156,710 or more while the bottom 10% earn $80,560, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 79% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $166,450, and still leads at $150,334 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Radiation Therapists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $166,450 | $150,334 | 1,720 |
| 2Oregon | $131,600 | $127,321 | 160 |
| 3New York | $129,620 | $120,106 | 820 |
| 4New Jersey | $129,460 | $118,984 | 600 |
| 5Washington | $125,880 | $117,631 | 540 |
| 6Hawaii | $125,520 | $114,160 | N/A |
| 7Illinois | $124,600 | $124,652 | N/A |
| 8Connecticut | $116,170 | $112,122 | 110 |
| 9Kansas | $108,830 | $120,831 | 240 |
| 10Arizona | $108,760 | $108,029 | 410 |
Job outlook
Is Radiation Therapist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Radiation Therapists | +2.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Radiation Therapists to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 700 openings are projected each year, 4.0% of the 17,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Radiotherapy plays a central role in cancer treatment, as a substantial proportion of cancer patients require radiation at some point during their care. Because the incidence of cancer increases as people age, a rise in the number of older people is likely to increase demand for radiation therapists. However, growing adoption of more efficient radiotherapy techniques, which allow patients to finish their treatment in fewer visits, may limit employment demand.
Getting in
How to become a Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists typically need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Most states require radiation therapists to be licensed or certified, which often includes passing a national certification exam.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as radiation therapists.
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree50.1%
- Bachelor's Degree37.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate8.9%
- Some College Courses3.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 50.1% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 37.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.9% |
| Some College Courses | 3.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Radiation Therapist do?
Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.
Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.
Day-to-day tasks
- Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
- Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
- Educate, prepare, and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.
- Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
- Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
- Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
- Photograph treated area of patient and process film.
- Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most radiation therapists work full time. They have a regular work schedule because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where radiation therapists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private60%
- Offices of physicians28%
- Outpatient care centers5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 60% |
| Offices of physicians | 28% |
| Outpatient care centers | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Speaking3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Writing3.1
- Active Learning3.0
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Operations Monitoring3.4
- Coordination3.3
- Service Orientation3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Operation and Control3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Development environment software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Radiation Therapist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Radiation Therapist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 5 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Realistic5.0
- Social4.8
- Investigative4.6
- Conventional4.5
- Enterprising1.7
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Radiation Therapist
O*NET related occupations
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$74,310median a year
Most earn $39K to $121K
+3.7%Associate's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
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More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with radiation therapists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Radiation Therapist$105,310
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Radiation Therapist appears on
Questions
Radiation Therapist: frequently asked questions
How much do Radiation Therapists make?
Radiation Therapists earn a median of $105,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 107% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $50.63/hr. The middle half earn between $92,060 and $126,340. The top 10% earn $156,710 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Radiation Therapist?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Radiation Therapists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.1% hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree.
Is Radiation Therapist a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Radiation Therapist do?
Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases. A core O*NET task: follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others. Employers most often ask for Development environment software, Medical software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Radiation Therapists the most?
The highest state medians for Radiation Therapists are California ($166,450), Oregon ($131,600), New York ($129,620) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Radiation Therapist?
O*NET scores Radiation Therapists highest on the Realistic, Social and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.