Healthcare career

Radiation Therapist

Also called: Radiation Therapy Technologist · RTT · Oncology Radiation Therapist · Radiotherapist

What radiation therapists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a radiation therapist do?

Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases by giving radiation treatments, operating machines called linear accelerators under the direction of radiation oncologists. The median pay is $105,310 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–4 years, and employment is projected to grow +2.8% from 2025–35.

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

  • Median pay
    $105,310
    $50.63/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.8%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    700
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Associate's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    2–4 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    17,400
    Employment, 2025

What radiation therapists do

Radiation therapists are key members of cancer care teams. They position patients precisely, use imaging to confirm targets, operate linear accelerators to deliver prescribed doses, monitor patients during treatment, track side effects and support patients through weeks of daily treatment.

Most radiation therapists earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy and certification from the ARRT. Pay is high for a two-year degree.

Typical duties

  • Position patients for treatment
  • Use imaging to verify setup
  • Operate linear accelerators
  • Deliver prescribed radiation doses
  • Monitor patients during treatment
  • Track side effects
  • Keep treatment records

Work environment and schedule

Radiation therapists work in hospitals and cancer treatment centers.

Schedule: Most work full-time weekday schedules.

A day in the life

  1. Run daily machine quality checks.
  2. Treat the first patient of the day.
  3. Take imaging to verify positioning.
  4. Do a CT simulation for a new patient.

See a full day in the life of a radiation therapist →

Radiation Therapist salary

Half of radiation therapists earned more than $105,310 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $80,560 for the lowest 10% to $156,710 for the top 10%.

Full radiation therapist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a radiation therapist

  1. Take science courses
  2. Complete a radiation therapy program
  3. Complete clinical training
  4. Pass the ARRT exam
  5. Advance

An associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy is typical, plus ARRT certification.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a radiation therapist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Patient positioning
  • Linear accelerator operation
  • Image guidance
  • Radiation safety
  • Treatment documentation

People skills

  • Compassion
  • Attention to detail
  • Communication
  • Teamwork

All radiation therapist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • High pay for a two-year degree
  • Meaningful cancer care
  • Regular hours
  • Advanced technology

Cons

  • Emotional patient situations
  • Precision pressure
  • Limited job openings
  • Repetitive daily treatments

Certifications and licenses

  • ARRT Radiation Therapy certification: National credential.
  • State license: Required in most states.
  • BLS CPR: Basic life support.
  • Medical dosimetry certification: Advancement path.

Career path

  1. Radiation Therapist: Treat patients.
  2. Senior Therapist: Lead treatments.
  3. Medical Dosimetrist: Plan doses.
  4. Chief Therapist or Manager: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Radiation Therapist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as set up a patient for treatment and support a patient through treatment, safety and how to land your first job.

View Radiation Therapist trainingIs this career right for me?

Medical Dosimetrist

Plan radiation doses that target cancer while protecting healthy tissue.

  • $147,470
  • 4–5 years

Radiologic Technologist

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

  • $80,110
  • 2 years

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

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

Radiation Therapist FAQ

Do radiation therapists need a degree?

An associate degree is the typical minimum.

Is the pay good?

Yes, among the highest for associate degree jobs.

Is radiation therapy safe for staff?

Yes, with shielding and safety procedures.

How much does a radiation therapist make?

The median annual wage for radiation therapists was $105,310 ($50.63 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $80,560 and the highest 10% earned more than $156,710.

How long does it take to become a radiation therapist?

Most people need about 2–4 years of training. An associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy is typical, plus ARRT certification.

Do you need a degree to be a radiation therapist?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.

More radiation therapist questions →

Sources

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

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