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
SOC: 29-1124 O*NET: 29-1124.00
Median Salary
$105,310
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.7
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?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$80,560
10th percentile
Early Career
$92,060
25th percentile
Median
$105,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$126,340
75th percentile
Top Earners
$156,710
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$80,560
25th
$92,060
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$105,310
Mean: $114,990
75th
$126,340
90th
$156,710
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $76,150 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $92,060 and $126,340
- •Salary spread is 32.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 17,070 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:17,400
Top Industries
Hospitals52%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals47.8%
Ambulatory Health Care Services35.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.8%
Annual Openings:700
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)17,400
Current
2035 (Projected)17,900
+2.8%
+500
Employment Change
+2.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Radiation Therapists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
California
1,720 jobs$166,4500.86x
Florida
1,280 jobs$100,9201.17x
Texas
1,000 jobs$105,7700.65x
New York
820 jobs$129,6200.77x
North Carolina
710 jobs$99,2501.31x
Ohio
690 jobs$98,6501.13x
New Jersey
600 jobs$129,4601.28x
Pennsylvania
560 jobs$100,5400.84x
Wisconsin
550 jobs$93,6001.70x
Washington
540 jobs$125,8801.37x
Virginia
500 jobs$103,3101.10x
Georgia
470 jobs$94,4600.88x
Michigan
450 jobs$95,8900.94x
Missouri
420 jobs$99,8901.31x
Arizona
410 jobs$108,7601.16x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
100%
#3
Oral Comprehension
100%
#4
Active Listening
94%
#5
English Language
94%
#6
Oral Expression
92%
#7
Medicine and Dentistry
86%
#8
Critical Thinking
86%
#9
Problem Sensitivity
82%
#10
Operations Monitoring
80%
Skills Overview
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
English Language
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Expression
advanced4.6
92%
Medicine and Dentistry
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
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:
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
English Language
advancedImportance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Medicine and Dentistry
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Physics
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
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:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Medicine and Dentistry
- ✓Physics
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Service Orientation
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Medicine and Dentistry
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
- ★Medicine and Dentistry
- ★Physics
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •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
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Eclipse IDE
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Eclipse IDE
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Radiation Therapists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Radiation Therapists professionals typically have a RSI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
SSocial
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Radiation Therapists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.85
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.81
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.70
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.67
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.67
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.46
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Concern for Others
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Cooperation
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Self-Control
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Social Orientation
4.2
Initiative
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Radiation Therapists.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Radiation Therapists
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
11.1k program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
2.8k program completions/year
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
2.3k program completions/year
Northwest Career College
Las Vegas, NV
2.1k program completions/year
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, GA
1.9k program completions/year
Hondros College of Nursing
Columbus, OH
1.7k program completions/year
Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI
1.7k program completions/year
Mountainland Technical College
Lehi, UT
1.5k program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
1.4k program completions/year
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI
1.4k program completions/year
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI
1.4k program completions/year
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI
1.4k program completions/year