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What’s a Radiation Therapist? Job Duties, Education & Salary

Learn how to become a radiation therapist and what you’ll do on the job.

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therapist readying patient for a scan
Home » Specialties » Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapist At a Glance

  • What you’ll do: A radiation therapist works in coordination with radiologists to implement therapeutic treatment plans for patients. Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients under the instruction of oncologists and radiologists, and locate tumors, measure the amount of radiation given and update treatment reports. Most importantly, you’ll follow regulations to protect both patients and practitioners from high doses of radiation.
  • Where you’ll work: Hospitals, physician’s office, cancer hospitals, outpatient care centers, colleges, and universities
  • Degree you’ll need: Associate degree or certificate in radiation therapy to start
  • Median annual salary: $89,530
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Education and Training

Radiation therapist programs can range from 1-to-2 years. One-year programs result in a certificate or diploma, while students in 2-year programs will earn associate’s degrees.

One-year programs emphasize supervised clinical education in training facilities like hospitals. The associate’s degree provides in-depth training that focuses both on theoretical knowledge (in the classroom) and hands-on experiences.

Licensing and Certification

There are no certification requirements, but employers often prefer Certified Radiation Therapists, who have passed national examinations that verify their professional skills and knowledge.

The most widely recognized certifying body is the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Certified radiation therapists must meet education and clinical competency standards set by the ARRT.

Radiation therapists can take the national exam after completing an accredited training program, or after working full-time for two years. Radiation therapists who pass this exam become Certified Radiation Therapists and can renew their certification annually.

Median Annual Salary

Take a look at median annual salaries by state for radiation therapists, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Radiation Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $89,530

Projected job growth: 6.3%

10th Percentile: $65,760

25th Percentile: $77,930

75th Percentile: $105,760

90th Percentile: $133,260

Projected job growth: 6.3%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $78,510 $50,460 $107,120
Arizona $92,350 $79,450 $121,290
Arkansas $80,510 $65,030 $96,510
California $135,580 $97,340 $185,600
Colorado $100,260 $77,610 $135,230
Connecticut $102,370 $80,150 $144,990
Delaware $101,150 $84,370 $126,820
District of Columbia $99,110 $79,960 $122,910
Florida $82,450 $63,650 $103,210
Georgia $84,640 $66,430 $105,420
Idaho $102,700 $79,910 $105,320
Illinois $94,720 $70,630 $106,130
Indiana $83,240 $64,980 $109,460
Iowa $72,670 $65,350 $90,140
Kansas $81,840 $64,870 $100,600
Kentucky $85,280 $76,270 $106,440
Louisiana $77,990 $60,830 $98,900
Maine $82,580 $67,280 $137,400
Maryland $85,830 $63,060 $120,840
Massachusetts $101,550 $72,150 $136,340
Michigan $82,230 $65,500 $95,380
Minnesota $81,760 $75,990 $101,410
Mississippi $81,820 $59,900 $107,740
Missouri $78,330 $61,410 $102,920
Montana $86,000 $72,420 $196,510
Nebraska $83,140 $48,260 $138,060
Nevada $83,500 $50,030 $113,970
New Hampshire $96,530 $75,190 $116,470
New Jersey $106,720 $90,200 $130,740
New Mexico $88,140 $60,170 $113,790
New York $109,580 $80,150 $214,970
North Carolina $81,730 $65,140 $113,720
Ohio $80,090 $59,620 $106,880
Oklahoma $79,170 $65,380 $100,910
Oregon $108,290 $78,850 $137,130
Pennsylvania $90,470 $67,810 $112,250
Rhode Island $96,470 $80,480 $128,120
South Carolina $80,750 $64,420 $109,360
South Dakota $80,380 $66,170 $102,240
Tennessee $77,640 $61,990 $96,590
Texas $99,850 $64,800 $126,310
Utah $95,070 $78,390 $154,540
Virginia $92,030 $73,680 $117,010
Washington $109,750 $88,000 $137,800
West Virginia $75,520 $63,650 $95,610
Wisconsin $78,820 $62,810 $100,280

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.