🏥 Healthcare ↑ 6% growth · Average

Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists deliver precise radiation treatments to cancer patients using linear accelerators. They work closely with oncologists and patients through one of the most emotional journeys in healthcare — cancer treatment.

$89,530 Median Salary

19K US Jobs

2–4 years Training

$12,000–$50,000 Typical Cost

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💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Radiation therapists typically earn $80,000–$115,000 annually. Radiation therapists in proton therapy centers and MR-Linac facilities earn $95,000–$130,000 for specialized technology expertise. Lead radiation therapists and chief therapists at academic cancer centers earn $110,000–$145,000. Geographic market significantly affects compensation — California, New York, and Massachusetts cancer centers pay at the top of the national range. Travel radiation therapist contracts at $3,000–$5,000 per week reflect the specialized credential and consistent workforce shortage.

Entry Level

$64,000

Median

$89,530

Experienced

$116,000

Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

Projected Growth (10yr)

Average

19K

Total US Jobs

Active positions nationwide

ARRT

Required Credential

ARRT (T) Certification

Radiation therapists administer radiation treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists to cancer patients — precisely positioning patients, verifying treatment parameters, and operating linear accelerators and other radiotherapy delivery systems. The BLS projects much-faster-than-average employment growth for radiation therapists driven by rising cancer diagnoses, advances in radiotherapy technology — IMRT, SBRT, proton therapy — and expanding treatment indications. Radiation therapists who develop expertise in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), proton therapy, or MR-guided radiotherapy access the most advanced and best-compensated clinical positions.

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program

BS in Radiation Therapy

Program Length

2–4 years

Typical Tuition

$12,000–$50,000

Work Setting

Cancer treatment centers, hospitals, radiation oncology clinics

Radiation therapy programs are offered at the associate and bachelor's degree levels at colleges and university cancer centers accredited by JRCERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology). Programs cover radiation physics, radiobiology, oncology, radiotherapy treatment planning, patient care, and clinical rotations at radiation oncology departments. After graduation, therapists take the ARRT Radiation Therapy examination to earn the RTT credential — required for clinical practice in all states. Continuing education in advanced treatment techniques — IMRT, SBRT, and image-guided radiotherapy — is ongoing throughout a radiation therapy career.

🏆 Credential Required: ARRT (T) Certification

☀️ Day in the Life

A Radiation Therapist begins the morning by reviewing the day's treatment schedule — 18 patients are booked, ranging from breast cancer patients receiving daily fractionated treatments to a head and neck patient beginning a new treatment course. The first patient is a prostate cancer patient in week three of a 9-week treatment course — the therapist positions the patient on the treatment table, aligns the treatment isocenter using laser alignment and in-room imaging (cone-beam CT), verifies the patient position matches the treatment plan reference images, and initiates the prescribed IMRT treatment delivery on the linear accelerator. When the in-room imaging shows a positioning variance exceeding tolerance, they make the required couch correction before treatment proceeds. They complete the treatment in 12 minutes and escort the patient off the table, asking about any new side effects. New patient simulation setup in the afternoon involves helping the physician and medical physicist create the immobilization device, acquiring the simulation CT, and entering anatomical landmarks into the treatment planning record.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Pros

Among the highest-paid radiologic science specialties: Radiation therapists earn substantially more than general radiologic technologists — specialized expertise and limited training programs create persistent wage premiums.
Central clinical role in oncology treatment: Radiation therapists interact with cancer patients daily throughout their treatment course — building meaningful relationships over weeks of daily contact.
Travel contracts offer exceptional total compensation: Radiation therapy travel contracts at $3,000–$5,000/week reflect the workforce shortage and specialty credential scarcity.
Advancing technology in IMRT, SBRT, and proton therapy: Radiation oncology is one of the most technologically dynamic specialties — therapists work with cutting-edge treatment delivery systems.
Strong employment growth driven by cancer incidence trends: Cancer incidence continues rising with an aging population — radiation therapy employment demand is reliably sustained.

Cons

Daily emotional exposure to cancer patients in treatment: Working with cancer patients across their treatment course — including those with poor prognoses — is emotionally demanding and requires resilience.
Radiation safety monitoring is a lifelong career commitment: Radiation therapists wear dosimetry badges throughout their career — cumulative exposure monitoring and radiation protection discipline are non-negotiable.
Precision demands allow no margin for setup error: Incorrect patient positioning or treatment parameter errors can cause serious patient harm — the precision responsibility is constant and high-stakes.
Limited program availability requires planning for geographic relocation: Radiation therapy programs are at far fewer institutions than general radiologic technology — geographic relocation for training may be required.

🗺️ Radiation Therapist by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

📍 Foster, WV

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How to compare these options

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