Healthcare practitioners
Radiation therapist
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.
Median pay
$105,310
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
700
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Radiation therapist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Radiation therapist: 15% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Also called: Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist) · Dosimetrist · Radiation Therapist (RT) · Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT) · Registered Radiation Therapist · Staff Radiation Therapist
Outlook and AI
Radiation therapists held 17,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 17,900 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Productivity change - share decreases as increased adoption of radiotherapy techniques that deliver higher doses of radiation over fewer fractions allows radiation therapists to treat a greater number of patients.
Compare with
- Radiation therapist vs. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Radiation therapist vs. Radiologic technologist
- Radiation therapist vs. Respiratory therapist
- Radiation therapist vs. Nuclear medicine technologist
- Radiation therapist vs. Diagnostic medical sonographer
- Radiation therapist vs. Radiologist
- Radiation therapist vs. Medical dosimetrist
- Radiation therapist vs. Magnetic resonance imaging technologist
- Radiation therapist vs. Surgical assistant
- Radiation therapist vs. Health technologists and technicians, all other