What Does a Medical Dosimetrist Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a medical dosimetrist do?

Medical dosimetrists design radiation treatment plans, calculating doses and beam arrangements that target tumors while sparing healthy tissue. The median pay is $147,470 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–5 years, and employment is projected to grow +5.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$147,470
$70.90/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+5.0%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
4–5 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
3,500
Employment, 2025

What medical dosimetrists do

Medical dosimetrists are the planners of radiation therapy. Working with radiation oncologists and physicists, they use CT and MRI images to outline targets and organs, design beam angles and intensities with planning software, calculate doses, check plans for safety and accuracy, and document everything for the treatment team.

Most dosimetrists have a bachelor’s degree and complete an accredited dosimetry program, often after working as radiation therapists, then earn the CMD credential. The role is small but very well paid.

Typical duties

Contour targets and organs on images
Design radiation treatment plans
Calculate radiation doses
Optimize beam arrangements
Check plans for accuracy
Work with physicians and physicists
Document plans

Work environment and schedule

Dosimetrists work in hospital and clinic radiation oncology departments, and some work remotely.

Schedule: Most work regular weekday hours.

A day in the life

8:00 AMReview new CT simulations.
9:00 AMContour organs at risk.
10:30 AMDesign an IMRT plan.
12:30 PMReview a plan with the radiation oncologist.

See a full day in the life of a medical dosimetrist →

Medical Dosimetrist salary

Half of medical dosimetrists earned more than $147,470 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $111,670 for the lowest 10% to $185,450 for the top 10%.

$111,67010th$147,470Median$185,45090th

Full medical dosimetrist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a medical dosimetrist

Earn a bachelor’s degree
Gain clinical experience
Complete a dosimetry program
Pass the MDCB exam
Advance

A bachelor’s degree plus an accredited medical dosimetry program is typical; many enter after working as radiation therapists.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a medical dosimetrist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Treatment planning software
Radiation physics
Anatomy contouring
Dose calculation
Plan optimization

People skills

Attention to detail
Problem solving
Communication
Patience

All medical dosimetrist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Very high pay
Regular hours
Remote options
Critical behind-the-scenes role

Cons

Small field
High-stakes precision
Deadlines for treatment starts
Requires specialized training

Certifications and licenses

Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD): MDCB credential.
ARRT Radiation Therapy: Common background.
Continuing education: Required to maintain CMD.
Brachytherapy training: Advanced skills.

Career path

Radiation Therapist: Common start.
Medical Dosimetrist: Plan treatments.
Senior Dosimetrist: Complex cases.
Chief Dosimetrist: Lead planning.

Learn the job before day one

Our Medical Dosimetrist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as create an IMRT plan and review a dose-volume histogram, safety and how to land your first job.

View Medical Dosimetrist training Is this career right for me?

Radiation Therapist

Deliver radiation treatments to patients with cancer.

$105,310
2–4 years

Radiologic Technologist

Take the X-rays and diagnostic images doctors use to find fractures, disease and injuries.

$80,110
2 years

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Use radioactive tracers to image the body and help treat disease.

$101,370
2–4 years

Physicist

Study matter, energy and forces to discover how the universe works.

$172,250
5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Compare: Medical Dosimetrist vs. Radiation Therapist · Medical Dosimetrist vs. Rad Tech · Medical Dosimetrist vs. Nuclear Medicine Tech · Medical Dosimetrist vs. Physicist

Medical Dosimetrist FAQ

How do you become a dosimetrist?

Usually a bachelor’s degree plus an accredited dosimetry program and the CMD exam.

Can dosimetrists work remotely?

Some do, planning cases from home.

Is the field large?

No, BLS counts about 3,500 jobs, but pay is high.

How much does a medical dosimetrist make?

The median annual wage for medical dosimetrists was $147,470 ($70.90 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $111,670 and the highest 10% earned more than $185,450.

How long does it take to become a medical dosimetrist?

Most people need about 4–5 years of training. A bachelor’s degree plus an accredited medical dosimetry program is typical; many enter after working as radiation therapists.

Do you need a degree to be a medical dosimetrist?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-2036 (Medical dosimetrists).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Medical dosimetrists (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Medical Dosimetrist