Career comparison
Medical Dosimetrist vs. Radiologic Technologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Medical dosimetrists earn more at the median ($147,470 vs. $80,110), while radiologic technologists usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Medical dosimetrists plan radiation doses that target cancer while protecting healthy tissue. Radiologic technologists take the X-rays and diagnostic images doctors use to find fractures, disease and injuries.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Medical Dosimetrist | Radiologic Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $147,470 ($70.90/hr) | $80,110 ($38.52/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $111,670 – $185,450 | $55,980 – $118,660 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.0% (faster than average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 13,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 4–5 years | 2 years |
| Key credential | Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) | ARRT Radiography (R) |
| Work setting | Dosimetrists work in hospital and clinic radiation oncology departments, and some work remotely.. | Technologists work in hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, imaging centers and clinics. |
What each job does
Medical Dosimetrist
- Contour targets and organs on images
- Design radiation treatment plans
- Calculate radiation doses
- Optimize beam arrangements
- Check plans for accuracy
Radiologic Technologist
- Review imaging orders and confirm patient identity
- Explain procedures and answer patient questions
- Position patients and equipment for the correct views
- Set exposure factors and capture diagnostic images
- Apply radiation protection for patients, staff and yourself
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, indoor work, and in-demand. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose medical dosimetrist if…
- I like physics and anatomy
- I enjoy precise computer work
- I want to support cancer care
Choose radiologic technologist if…
- I’m interested in anatomy and how the body works
- I like technology and equipment
- I can stay calm with patients in pain
Still torn? Take the Medical Dosimetrist fit quiz and the Radiologic Technologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, medical dosimetrist or radiologic technologist?
Medical Dosimetrists earn more at the median: $147,470 versus $80,110 for radiologic technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Radiologic Technologists typically train faster (2 years) than medical dosimetrists (4–5 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects medical dosimetrists to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +5.0% for radiologic technologists.