What Radiation Therapists Do
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.
Work Environment
Radiation therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient centers. Most radiation therapists work full time.
How to Become a Radiation Therapist
Most radiation therapists complete programs that lead to an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Radiation therapists must be licensed or certified in most states. Requirements vary by state, but often include passing a national certification exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for radiation therapists was $85,560 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for radiation therapists may stem from the aging population and advances in radiation therapies.
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.
Duties
Radiation therapists typically do the following:
- Explain treatment plans to the patient and answer questions about treatment
- Protect the patients and themselves from improper exposure to radiation
- Determine the exact location of the area requiring treatment
- Calibrate and operate the machine to treat the patient with radiation
- Monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to the treatment
- Keep detailed records of treatment
Radiation therapists operate machines, such as linear accelerators, to deliver concentrated radiation therapy to the region of a patient’s tumor. Radiation treatment can shrink or remove cancers and tumors.
Radiation therapists are part of the oncology teams that treat patients with cancer. They often work with the following specialists:
- Radiation oncologists are physicians who specialize in radiation therapy
- Oncology nurses specialize in caring for patients with cancer
- Medical physicists help in planning of radiation treatments, develop better and safer radiation therapies, and check that radiation output is accurate
Radiation therapists held about 18,500 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of radiation therapists were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 63% |
| Offices of physicians | 24 |
| Outpatient care centers | 6 |
Radiation therapists are on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn disabled patients. Because they work with radiation and radioactive material, radiation therapists must follow safety procedures to make sure that they are not exposed to a potentially harmful amount of radiation. These procedures usually require therapists to stand in a different room while the patient undergoes radiation procedures.
Injuries and illnesses
Since radiation therapists administer radiation treatments over many years they should take precautions to limit exposure and be aware of the risks involved.
Work Schedules
Most radiation therapists work full time. Radiation therapists keep a regular work schedule because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of radiation therapists.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dental Hygienists |
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. |
Associate’s degree | $76,220 | |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists |
Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests. |
Associate’s degree | $68,750 | |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists |
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes. |
Associate’s degree | $77,950 | |
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies |
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas. |
See How to Become One | $29,640 | |
Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides |
Physical therapist assistants and aides are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses. |
See How to Become One | $48,990 | |
Radiologic and MRI Technologists |
Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. |
Associate’s degree | $62,280 | |
Registered Nurses |
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions. |
Bachelor’s degree | $73,300 | |
Respiratory Therapists |
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. |
Associate’s degree | $61,330 |
For more information about radiation therapists, visit
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
For information about becoming a medical dosimetrist, visit
American Association of Medical Dosimetrists
O*NET
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiation Therapists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiation-therapists.htm (visited ).
