Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients, as prescribed by physicians such as radiation oncologists. They also perform many other important duties, such as operating specialized machines. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (in 2014), the average salary was $83,710 and the average hourly wage was $40.25 per hour.
In this article, you’ll learn the job duties of a radiation therapist, the average salary for all 50 states, the education requirements, and the job likes and dislikes.
Radiation Therapist Job Duties
Radiation therapists perform many duties, including the following:
- They explain treatments to patients and answer any questions or concerns they may have.
- They follow safety protocols to minimize radiation exposure or other health risks during procedures.
- They examine, prepare, and operate specialized machines.
- They perform x-rays on patients to locate tumor locations (see x-ray tech salary).
- They verify dosages before treatments.
- They monitor the patients and watch for any adverse reactions.
- They keep detailed patient records.
Education Requirements for Radiation Therapists
To become a radiation therapist, there are three different options:
- 12-month certificate programs
- 2-year associate degree programs
- 4-year bachelor degree programs
Many employers prefer to hire individuals with an associate or bachelor’s degree. However, others will gladly hire graduates from accredited certificate programs. Just keep in mind that the job market for this profession is very competitive, and obtaining a bachelor or associate degree will likely enhance your job prospects.
It’s very important to graduate from an accredited program. According to the ARRT (the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists), there were 120 accredited schools in the United States as of 2014.
Certification and Licensing
Most states will require certification and/or licensing. To become certified, individuals must graduate from an accredited program (see above). Next, individuals must meet ethical standards and pass a certification test by the ARRT. Some states may have additional requirements for certification or licensing. An accredited program should help you meet the necessary requirements.
In addition, individuals in this profession must take continuing education courses throughout their careers to maintain licensing and/or certification.
What Do Radiation Therapists Like and Dislike about their Jobs?
Most radiation therapists are satisfied with their jobs. However, all jobs have “pros and cons.” Here are some of the things individuals like about this profession:
Radiation Therapist Job Likes:
- You can make a tremendous difference in the lives of others. You can administer radiation therapy and successfully treat cancer. Many individuals in this profession will tell you that there is nothing quite like seeing the look of joy on a person’s face after finding out that their cancer is in remission.
- The income is good considering the relatively low education requirements.
- Hours are great if you work in a clinic (8-5 shifts). However, many individuals also work in hospitals where 12-hour shifts may be required (or the may even have to be on-call).
- This job is generally low stress, especially if staffing is adequate.
- These individuals love meeting new people and establishing a relationship with returning patients.
Radiation Therapist Job Dislikes:
- The most depressing aspect of this job is seeing the look on a patient’s face when he or she finds out their cancer wasn’t successfully treated, or seeing a patient in pain as their cancer is being treated. This is by far the most depressing part for most individuals.
- You can easily harm someone’s health if you’re not careful. The machines are very dangerous, and I heard of a story of one person having permanent damage to their throat after an accident.
- The job market is very competitive.
- There is a risk of radiation exposure. However, there are safety protocols in place to minimize this risk.
Radiation Therapist Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 16,380 radiation therapists employed in the U.S. in 2014. They estimated 14% job growth rate between years 2014-2024.
The average hourly wage was $40.25 per hour, and the average salary income was $83,710 per year. Those are averages only, and your income can depend on factors such as job experience, the state in which you live, the industry in which you work, and more.
Below are some job statistics.
| Employment | Employment RSE |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage |
Wage RSE |
| 16,380 | 2.7 % | $40.25 | $83,710 | 1.1 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $25.77 | $31.22 | $38.51 | $46.72 | $56.82 |
| Annual Wage | $53,590 | $64,930 | $80,090 | $97,190 | $118,180 |
Industries with the highest levels of employment for radiation therapists:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 10,200 | 0.19 | $39.48 | $82,120 |
| Offices of Physicians | 3,820 | 0.16 | $41.43 | $86,160 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 770 | 0.11 | $42.91 | $89,240 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 760 | 0.31 | $44.30 | $92,150 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 270 | 0.01 | $41.37 | $86,050 |
Top paying industries for radiation therapists:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 760 | 0.31 | $44.30 | $92,150 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 770 | 0.11 | $42.91 | $89,240 |
| Employment Services | 60 | n/a | $41.60 | $86,540 |
| Offices of Physicians | 3,820 | 0.16 | $41.43 | $86,160 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 270 | 0.01 | $41.37 | $86,050 |
Top paying states for radiation therapists:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| California | 1,070 | 0.07 | 0.58 | $49.87 | $103,720 |
| Connecticut | 340 | 0.21 | 1.69 | $49.68 | $103,340 |
| New Jersey | 510 | 0.13 | 1.09 | $48.55 | $100,990 |
| Washington | 330 | 0.11 | 0.93 | $47.02 | $97,800 |
| Rhode Island | n/a | n/a | n/a | $46.01 | $95,700 |
Lowest paying states for radiation therapists:
| State: | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| North Dakota | $30.82 | $64,100 |
| Louisiana | $32.73 | $68,090 |
| Tennessee | $33.49 | $69,660 |
| Iowa | $33.63 | $69,950 |
| Maine | $34.47 | $71,700 |
Radiation therapist salary for all 50 states:
| State: | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Alabama | $35.07 | $72,950 |
| Arizona | $41.25 | $85,790 |
| Arkansas | $36.82 | $76,580 |
| California | $49.87 | $103,720 |
| Colorado | $44.03 | $91,590 |
| Connecticut | $49.68 | $103,340 |
| Delaware | $42.32 | $88,030 |
| District of Columbia | $40.52 | $84,280 |
| Florida | $44.35 | $92,240 |
| Georgia | $39.03 | $81,190 |
| Idaho | $40.42 | $84,070 |
| Illinois | $37.27 | $77,520 |
| Indiana | $37.03 | $77,030 |
| Iowa | $33.63 | $69,950 |
| Kansas | $35.99 | $74,850 |
| Kentucky | $36.34 | $75,590 |
| Louisiana | $32.73 | $68,090 |
| Maine | $34.47 | $71,700 |
| Maryland | $38.80 | $80,700 |
| Massachusetts | $41.43 | $86,170 |
| Michigan | $34.55 | $71,870 |
| Minnesota | $37.75 | $78,510 |
| Mississippi | $35.73 | $74,320 |
| Missouri | $37.33 | $77,650 |
| Montana | $38.49 | $80,050 |
| Nebraska | $40.60 | $84,440 |
| Nevada | $39.36 | $81,860 |
| New Hampshire | $39.60 | $82,370 |
| New Jersey | $48.55 | $100,990 |
| New Mexico | $42.13 | $87,620 |
| New York | $44.21 | $91,950 |
| North Carolina | $36.69 | $76,320 |
| North Dakota | $30.82 | $64,100 |
| Ohio | $35.15 | $73,120 |
| Oklahoma | $39.08 | $81,300 |
| Oregon | $45.29 | $94,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $36.72 | $76,380 |
| Rhode Island | $46.01 | $95,700 |
| South Carolina | $43.39 | $90,260 |
| Tennessee | $33.49 | $69,660 |
| Texas | $36.92 | $76,800 |
| Vermont | $40.97 | $85,220 |
| Virginia | $37.77 | $78,560 |
| Washington | $47.02 | $97,800 |
| West Virginia | $34.93 | $72,660 |
| Wisconsin | $39.13 | $81,380 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Radiation Therapists, on the Internet at bls.gov.