Careers / Radiation Therapists
Radiation Therapists — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$105,310
United States, 2025
Employment
17,070
United States, 2025
Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Job Zone 3
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 29-1124.00
- Job zone
- 3
- Experience required
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Typical tasks
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$80,560
25th percentile
$92,060
75th percentile
$126,340
90th percentile
$156,710
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Operations Monitoring3.4
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Speaking3.3
- Service Orientation3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Coordination3.3
- Time Management3.1
- Writing3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 15 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
15
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Speaking | 3.3 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.3 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
Related careers
Supplemental
National median $265,930
Compare with Radiation TherapistsSupplemental
National median $358,550
Compare with Radiation TherapistsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $206,350 | 130 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $205,670 | 220 | 2025 |
| Sacramento, CA | $182,240 | 110 | 2025 |
| San Diego, CA | $171,500 | 140 | 2025 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $169,150 | 480 | 2025 |
| CA | $166,450 | 1,720 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $135,550 | 960 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $133,410 | 250 | 2025 |
| OR | $131,600 | 160 | 2025 |
| Riverside, CA | $130,800 | — | 2025 |
| NY | $129,620 | 820 | 2025 |
| NJ | $129,460 | 600 | 2025 |
| Portland, OR | $128,650 | 130 | 2025 |
| WA | $125,880 | 540 | 2025 |
| HI | $125,520 | — | 2025 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $125,520 | — | 2025 |
| Chicago, IL | $124,850 | — | 2025 |
| IL | $124,600 | — | 2025 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $119,960 | 390 | 2025 |
| Kansas City, MO | $117,280 | 220 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Radiation Therapists to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.