← All careers

Healthcare

Radiation Therapists

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 salary (BLS)

$105,310

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$81k – $157k

Job outlook

+2% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Radiation Therapists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$8,200–$23,000

Time to qualify

2.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Radiation Therapists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Radiation Therapists

    Entry / Junior

    $80,560

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Radiation Therapists

    Established

    $105,310

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Radiation Therapists

    Senior

    $131,010

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Healthcare

Explore all

Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.