Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.
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 may shrink or eliminate 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 held about 16,400 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of radiation therapists were 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. They have a regular work schedule because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance.
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.
Employers usually prefer to hire applicants who have an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in a healthcare and related field, such as radiation therapy, or in science technologies or biology. 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 such as human anatomy and physiology, physics, and algebra. A list of accredited radiation therapy programs is available from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Compassion. Radiation therapists work with patients who are suffering from cancer or another serious disease. They must display empathy while helping patients through the experience.
Detail oriented. Radiation therapists must follow precise 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 over multiple weeks and must be able to explain the treatment. Radiation therapists also must work well with other members of the oncology team to effectively coordinate care.
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 may include graduating from an accredited radiation therapy program and passing an exam or earning certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
To become ARRT certified, an applicant must earn an associate’s or higher degree from an approved radiation therapy program, adhere to ARRT ethical standards, and pass the certification exam. The exam covers topics such as radiation protection, treatment planning, and patient care and education.
Many jobs also require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS) certification.
With additional education and certification, therapists may become medical dosimetrists. Dosimetrists are responsible for calculating the correct dose of radiation that is used in the treatment of cancer patients.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for radiation therapists was $82,790 in May 2021. 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.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for radiation therapists in the top industries in which they worked were 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. They have a regular work schedule because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, 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 | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Radiation therapists |
29-1124 | 16,400 | 17,500 | 6 | 1,000 | Get data | |
For more information about radiation therapists, visit
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
For a list of accredited programs in radiation therapy, visit
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology