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Radiation Therapists

Typical education: Associate degreeHigh pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $105,310 Median per year · $50.63/hr Most earn $80,560–$156,710

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
  • Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
  • Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician.
  • Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.
  • Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
  • Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.

Job outlook

United States
3% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 700 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • General medical and surgical hospitals54.1%
  • Offices of physicians28.1%
  • Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals5.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Radiation therapy is not usually an entry-level job straight out of school. Most people earn an associate degree and then work 1 to 2 years in a related imaging or health role before stepping into this career.

  1. High school diploma with strong math and science

    4 years

    Math and science classes like biology, chemistry, and algebra build the foundation you need for the health-science coursework in an associate degree program.

  2. Associate degree in radiation therapy

    2 years

    This program combines classroom science, patient care, and supervised clinical training, and it prepares you for the professional certification exam.

  3. Radiologic Technologist

    1-2 years

    Working as a radiologic technologist gives you hands-on experience positioning patients and operating imaging equipment, which is the kind of experience employers look for before a radiation therapy role.

  4. Radiation Therapist

    Ongoing career

    You provide prescribed radiation treatments, prepare equipment and patient immobilization devices, work with physicians, and keep treatment records.

Where it can lead

  1. Medical Dosimetrist

    1-2 years of experience first

    You shift from delivering treatment to calculating radiation dose plans, which usually requires further training or a bachelor's degree in addition to your experience.

  2. Lead Radiation Therapist

    Several years in the field of experience first

    You take on more responsibility for training other therapists, checking treatment quality, and coordinating the daily work of the department.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and physicsThese classes build the science background that radiation therapy programs expect.
  • Take algebra and other strong math classesRadiation dose and equipment work rely on accurate math and measurement.
  • Volunteer at a hospital or clinicVolunteering shows you how a clinical team works and whether you feel at ease around patients.
  • Get a starter job that involves customer or patient interactionJobs like a cashier or receptionist build the calm communication skills that patient care depends on.
  • Join a science or health clubClubs like HOSA or a science club help you learn about health careers and build teamwork skills.

In college

  • Take anatomy, physiology, and physicsThese courses prepare you for the science-heavy radiation therapy program and its certification exam.
  • Look for a campus job at a health or science labLab or clinic work builds hands-on skills and shows you how careful, precise tasks are done.
  • Shadow a radiation therapist or radiologic technologistSeeing treatment sessions up close helps you decide if this career fits and gives you real examples for applications.
  • Apply for a clinical or healthcare-related volunteer rolePatient-facing experience matters for the program and for daily work with cancer patients.
  • Prepare for the program application earlyCheck the prerequisites and requirements of accredited associate degree programs near you so you can plan your coursework to meet them.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for an associate degree program accredited for radiation therapy, since accreditation matters for taking the professional certification exam.
  • Ask a radiation therapy or radiology department if you can shadow a therapist. Seeing the work firsthand helps you decide if it fits you.
  • Get comfortable with patient care, like calmly explaining procedures to people who are stressed or scared. This matters as much as the technical skills.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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