Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Radiation Therapist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring radiation therapists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $105,310), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify ARRT Radiation Therapy certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for radiation therapists
There are about 17,400 radiation therapists employed in the U.S., with roughly 700 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.8% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $80,560–$92,060 | $38.73–$44.26 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $105,310 | $50.63 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $126,340 | $60.74 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $156,710 | $75.34 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Associate's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Patient positioning
- Compassion
Nice-to-haves
- ARRT Radiation Therapy certification
- State license
- BLS CPR
- Experience with linear accelerators
Where to find radiation therapists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Radiation Therapy Technologist, RTT, Oncology Radiation Therapist, Radiotherapist
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why radiation therapy?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you ensure accuracy?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain checks.
3. “How do you support anxious patients?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
4. “Are you ARRT certified?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
5. “How do you handle emotional cases?”
What a strong answer includes: Be honest.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Set Up a Patient for Treatment (see the steps)
- Support a Patient Through Treatment (see the steps)
- Run Daily Machine QA (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Linear accelerator, Fraction, Gray (Gy)
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Radiation Therapist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Radiation Therapist training. Show them the path forward: Radiation Therapist → Senior Therapist → Medical Dosimetrist → Chief Therapist or Manager.
Hiring radiation therapists: FAQ
How much should I pay a radiation therapist?
The U.S. median wage for radiation therapists is $105,310 per year ($50.63/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($92,060), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($126,340). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a radiation therapist have?
BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for ARRT Radiation Therapy certification and State license where relevant, plus skills such as patient positioning, linear accelerator operation, and image guidance.
How long does it take to train a new radiation therapist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2–4 years. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”