Radiation Therapists Career, Salary and Skills
Radiation Therapists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $105,310 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 17,070. Wage data is published for 122 locations.
Occupation description
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
Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$105,310
Hourly median
$50.63
Employment
17,070
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.50 | 3.75 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.38 | 3.62 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Speaking | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Coordination | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Writing | 3.12 | 3.25 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
Technology
- Beam analysis software
- Dose unit calculation software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Eclipse IDE
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Epic Systems
- Image processing software
- Lifeline Software RadCalc
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
- Nucletron planning systems
- Patient management software
- Procedure scheduling software
Radiation Therapists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Radiation Therapists Salary in CAMedian $166,450 · Employment 1,720
- Radiation Therapists Salary in FLMedian $100,920 · Employment 1,280
- Radiation Therapists Salary in TXMedian $105,770 · Employment 1,000
- Radiation Therapists Salary in New York, NYMedian $135,550 · Employment 960
- Radiation Therapists Salary in NYMedian $129,620 · Employment 820
- Radiation Therapists Salary in NCMedian $99,250 · Employment 710
- Radiation Therapists Salary in OHMedian $98,650 · Employment 690
- Radiation Therapists Salary in NJMedian $129,460 · Employment 600
- Radiation Therapists Salary in PAMedian $100,540 · Employment 560
- Radiation Therapists Salary in WIMedian $93,600 · Employment 550
- Radiation Therapists Salary in WAMedian $125,880 · Employment 540
- Radiation Therapists Salary in VAMedian $103,310 · Employment 500
Related careers
- Anesthesiologist AssistantsNational median $135,880
- Acute Care NursesNational median $97,550
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansNational median $265,930
- Emergency Medicine PhysiciansNational median $335,550
- Physical TherapistsNational median $102,760
- Physical Therapist AidesNational median $35,240
- Physical Therapist AssistantsNational median $68,380
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except PediatricNational median $358,550
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.