Radiation Therapists

SOC: 29-1124 O*NET: 29-1124.00
Median Salary
$101,990
per year
Job Growth
➑️ 1.9%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

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.

What does a Radiation Therapists 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.

How much can you earn?

Salary Distribution by Percentile

Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.

10th
$61,194
25th
$81,592
50th (Median)
$101,990
75th
$122,388
90th
$152,985

Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.

Typical Benefits Package

Health & Wellness

  • βœ“Health Insurance
  • βœ“Dental Insurance
  • βœ“Vision Insurance
  • βœ“Mental Health Support
  • βœ“Wellness Programs

Financial Benefits

  • βœ“401(k) Retirement Plan
  • βœ“Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
  • βœ“Profit Sharing
  • βœ“Stock Options
  • βœ“Performance Bonuses

Work-Life Balance

  • βœ“Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
  • βœ“Paid Sick Leave
  • βœ“Flexible Work Arrangements
  • βœ“Remote Work Options
  • βœ“Parental Leave

Professional Development

  • βœ“Tuition Reimbursement
  • βœ“Professional Certifications
  • βœ“Conference Attendance
  • βœ“Training Programs
  • βœ“Mentorship Opportunities

Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:19,200

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+1.9%
Annual Openings:900

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)19,200
Current
2034 (Projected)19,600
+1.9%
+400
Employment Change
+1.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Key Growth Factors

    Standard growth expectations for this occupation

    What skills do you need?

    Top 10 Most Important Skills

    #1
    Reading Comprehension
    100%
    #2
    Active Listening
    94%
    #3
    Critical Thinking
    86%
    #4
    Operations Monitoring
    80%
    #5
    Social Perceptiveness
    74%
    #6
    Speaking
    66%
    #7
    Service Orientation
    60%
    #8
    Monitoring
    54%
    #9
    Coordination
    46%
    #10
    Writing
    40%

    Skills Overview

    Reading Comprehension
    advanced5.0
    100%
    Active Listening
    advanced4.7
    94%
    Critical Thinking
    intermediate4.3
    86%
    Operations Monitoring
    intermediate4.0
    80%
    Social Perceptiveness
    intermediate3.7
    74%
    Speaking
    intermediate3.3
    66%
    Service Orientation
    intermediate3.0
    60%
    Monitoring
    basic2.7
    54%

    Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

    Filter:
    Sort by:

    Reading Comprehension

    advanced
    Importance100%
    abilities
    5.0/5.0

    Active Listening

    advanced
    Importance94%
    skills
    4.7/5.0

    Critical Thinking

    intermediate
    Importance86%
    abilities
    4.3/5.0

    Operations Monitoring

    intermediate
    Importance80%
    skills
    4.0/5.0

    Social Perceptiveness

    intermediate
    Importance74%
    skills
    3.7/5.0

    Speaking

    intermediate
    Importance66%
    skills
    3.3/5.0

    Service Orientation

    intermediate
    Importance60%
    skills
    3.0/5.0

    Monitoring

    basic
    Importance54%
    skills
    2.7/5.0

    Coordination

    basic
    Importance46%
    skills
    2.3/5.0

    Writing

    basic
    Importance40%
    skills
    2.0/5.0

    Highly Transferable Skills

    These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

    Bus Drivers, School90%
    5 shared skills
    Registered Nurses82%
    5 shared skills
    Audio and Video Technicians82%
    5 shared skills
    Freight Forwarders82%
    5 shared skills
    Counter and Rental Clerks82%
    5 shared skills
    Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
    5 shared skills

    Skills by Career Stage

    Entry Level

    Must Have:
    • βœ“Active Listening
    Learn on the Job:
    • β†’Speaking
    • β†’Service Orientation
    • β†’Monitoring

    Mid Career

    Expected:
    • βœ“Operations Monitoring
    • βœ“Active Listening
    • βœ“Reading Comprehension
    • βœ“Critical Thinking

    Senior Level

    Mastery Required:
    • β˜…Active Listening
    • β˜…Reading Comprehension
    • β˜…Critical Thinking
    • β˜…Social Perceptiveness

    Skill Development Tips

    • β€’Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
    • β€’Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
    • β€’Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
    • β€’Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

    What technology will you use?

    Technology & Digital Skills

    Essential technology proficiencies for Radiation Therapists

    Technology Intensity
    High
    πŸ”₯

    Hot Technologies in Demand

    These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

    Eclipse IDE

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    eClinicalWorks EHR software

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Epic Systems

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Office software

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Excel

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Word

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Technology Stack

    Technology Stack Overview

    Key technologies used in this career

    Eclipse IDE
    eClinicalWorks EHR software
    Epic Systems
    Microsoft Office software
    Microsoft Excel
    Microsoft Word

    πŸ“š Technology Learning Resources

    Recommended Certifications

    • β€’Vendor-specific software certifications
    • β€’Industry-recognized technology credentials
    • β€’Professional development courses

    Online Learning Platforms

    • β€’LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
    • β€’Coursera - University-level programs
    • β€’Udemy - Practical skills training

    πŸ’‘ Technology Skill Development Tips

    • β€’Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
    • β€’Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
    • β€’Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
    • β€’Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

    What's the work environment like?

    🏒
    Location
    MOSTLY INDOOR
    πŸ’ͺ
    Physical Demand
    VERY HIGH
    πŸ‘₯
    Team Orientation
    CONSTANT TEAM
    🀝
    Customer Interaction
    CONSTANT

    πŸ’‘Is This Work Environment Right for You?

    Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

    • β€’Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
    • β€’Can you meet very high physical demands?
    • β€’Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
    • β€’Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

    What education is required?

    Education Required

    Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

    Experience Required

    Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

    Job Training

    Training of more than one year