What They Do: Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.
Work Environment: Radiation therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient centers. Most radiation therapists work full time.
How to Become One: Most radiation therapists complete programs that lead to an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Radiation therapists must be licensed or certified in most states. Requirements vary by state, but often include passing a national certification exam.
Salary: The median annual wage for radiation therapists is $82,790.
Job Outlook: Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations.
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.
Radiation therapists typically do the following:
Radiation therapists operate machines, such as linear accelerators, to deliver concentrated radiation therapy to the region of a patient's tumor. Radiation treatment can shrink or remove cancers and tumors.
Radiation therapists are part of the oncology teams that treat patients with cancer. They often work with the following specialists:
Radiation therapists hold about 16,400 jobs. The largest employers of radiation therapists are as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 65% |
| Offices of physicians | 25% |
| Outpatient care centers | 5% |
Radiation therapists stand for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients.
Because radiation therapists work with radiation and radioactive materials, they should be aware of the risks involved and must follow safety procedures. These procedures require therapists to be in a different room while administering radiation to a patient and to wear a film badge dosimeter to track their exposure.
Most radiation therapists work full time. Radiation therapists keep a regular work schedule because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance.
Get the education you need: Find schools for Radiation Therapists near you!
Most radiation therapists complete programs that lead to an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in radiation therapy. Radiation therapists must be licensed or certified in most states. Requirements vary by state, but often include passing a national certification exam.
Employers usually prefer to hire applicants who have an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in radiation therapy. However, candidates may qualify for some positions by completing a certificate program.
Radiation therapy programs include courses in radiation therapy procedures and the scientific theories behind them. These programs often include experience in a clinical setting and courses in human anatomy and physiology, physics, algebra, computer science, and research methodology. There are about 110 accredited educational programs recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Detail oriented. Radiation therapists must follow exact instructions and input exact measurements to make sure the patient is exposed to the correct amount of radiation.
Interpersonal skills. Radiation therapists work closely with patients. It is important that therapists be comfortable interacting with people who may be going through physical and emotional stress.
Physical stamina. Radiation therapists must be able to be on their feet for long periods and be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.
Technical skills. Radiation therapists work with computers and large pieces of technological equipment, so they must be comfortable operating those devices.
In most states, radiation therapists must be licensed or certified. Requirements vary by state, but typically include graduation from an accredited radiation therapy program and ARRT certification.
To become ARRT certified, an applicant must complete an accredited radiation therapy program, adhere to ARRT ethical standards, and pass the certification exam. The exam covers radiation protection and quality assurance, clinical concepts in radiation oncology, treatment planning, treatment delivery, and patient care and education. A list of accredited programs is available from ARRT.
Many jobs also require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS) certification.
With additional education and certification, therapists can become medical dosimetrists. Dosimetrists are responsible for calculating the correct dose of radiation that is used in the treatment of cancer patients.
The median annual wage for radiation therapists is $82,790. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,550.
The median annual wages for radiation therapists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Outpatient care centers | $121,140 |
| Offices of physicians | $82,540 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $81,050 |
Most radiation therapists work full time. Radiation therapists keep a regular work schedule because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance.
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 800 openings for radiation therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 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.
The incidence of cancer increases as people age, so an aging population may increase demand for radiation therapists. Continued advancements in the detection of cancer and the development of more sophisticated treatment techniques may also lead to greater demand for radiation therapy.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Radiation therapists | 16,400 | 17,500 | 6 | 1,000 |
For more information about radiation therapists, visit
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
For information about becoming a medical dosimetrist, visit
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.