Radiation Therapists: Career Profile
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.
Featured schools near , edit
What Tasks Do Radiation Therapists Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of radiation therapists span:
- Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
- Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
- Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
- Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
- Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
- Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
- Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
What Radiation Therapists Need to Know
Top radiation therapists draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
These are the skills most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist)
- Dosimetrist
- Radiation Oncology Registered Nurse (Radiation Oncology RN)
- Radiation Therapist (RT)
- Radiation Therapy Technician
- Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT)
- Radiologic Therapist
- Radiology Therapist
Job Outlook
There are about 1,196,673 radiation therapists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -1.4% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Radiation Therapists
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $43,552 |
| Hourly median | $20.94 |
| 10th percentile | $26,845 |
| 25th percentile | $35,199 |
| 75th percentile | $51,906 |
| 90th percentile | $60,259 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $160,040 |
| Washington | $129,100 |
| Oregon | $125,680 |
| New Jersey | $124,820 |
| New York | $122,500 |
| Illinois | $120,360 |
| Alaska | $120,310 |
| Delaware | $110,000 |
| Connecticut | $108,310 |
| Vermont | $107,580 |
| Massachusetts | $104,740 |
| Colorado | $104,110 |
| Utah | $104,040 |
| Virginia | $102,680 |
| Montana | $102,520 |
| Arizona | $102,270 |
| New Hampshire | $101,980 |
| Texas | $101,740 |
| Maryland | $101,590 |
| Idaho | $100,230 |
| West Virginia | $99,850 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,420 |
| Indiana | $98,130 |
| Ohio | $98,110 |
| Kentucky | $97,940 |
| Minnesota | $97,360 |
| South Carolina | $97,350 |
| Nevada | $97,200 |
| Florida | $96,940 |
| District of Columbia | $96,640 |
| Georgia | $95,960 |
| North Carolina | $95,680 |
| South Dakota | $93,960 |
| Louisiana | $93,320 |
| Wisconsin | $90,760 |
| Missouri | $88,100 |
| Nebraska | $86,840 |
| Michigan | $86,750 |
| Arkansas | $86,690 |
| Oklahoma | $86,460 |
| Alabama | $85,950 |
| Maine | $84,650 |
| Kansas | $84,520 |
| Mississippi | $81,160 |
| Iowa | $78,210 |
| Tennessee | $77,690 |
| North Dakota | $77,580 |
| Puerto Rico | $36,130 |
Where Radiation Therapists Earn the Most
Compensation for radiation therapists vary by region. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $146,755 | 12.5% | 0.72 |
| Middle Atlantic | $114,165 | 19.2% | 1.11 |
| New England | $104,065 | 3.7% | 0.77 |
| Rocky Mountains | $102,309 | 1.4% | 0.65 |
| Southwest | $100,364 | 12.8% | 0.92 |
| Southeast | $94,804 | 30.7% | 1.19 |
| Great Lakes | $92,709 | 12.3% | 1.07 |
| Plains States | $87,668 | 7.5% | 1.12 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $187,700 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $184,470 | 190 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $168,410 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $159,600 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $155,360 | 380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $132,230 | 250 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $131,490 | 1,200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | CA | $122,880 | 120 |
Which Industries Hire Radiation Therapists
Most radiation therapists are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 17,930 | $101,940 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 380 | $104,880 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Medical software: eClinicalWorks EHR software (hot technology)
- Development environment software: Eclipse IDE (hot technology)
- Medical software: Epic Systems (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The on-the-job environment of radiation therapists reflects the following characteristics:
- Contact With Others
- Physical Proximity
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Exposed to Disease or Infections
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level radiation therapists positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Anesthesiologist Assistants (Supplemental)
- Physical Therapists (Supplemental)
- Respiratory Therapists (Primary-Short)
- Acute Care Nurses (Supplemental)
- Cardiologists (Supplemental)
- Emergency Medicine Physicians (Supplemental)
- Radiologists (Primary-Long)
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Aspiring radiation therapists typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-1124.00 (Radiation Therapists).
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.