Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Medical Dosimetrist Medical dosimetrists must complete an accredited medical dosimetry program. To enter the occupation, medical dosimetrists typically need a bachelor's degree and must complete an accredited medical dosimetry program. Employers usually require workers to have certification.
Education
Medical dosimetrists typically need a bachelor’s degree in medical dosimetry or a related field, such as biology or physical science. Prospective dosimetrists whose degree is not in medical dosimetry may complete a certificate or master’s degree program in medical dosimetry. Admission to medical dosimetry programs is often competitive. Applicants may be required to be a registered radiation therapist or have a bachelor’s degree that includes coursework in specific subjects, such as biology, medical terminology, and calculus. Medical dosimetry programs include courses such as physics, anatomy, and radiology. Programs also include supervised clinical experience in which students work onsite with practicing dosimetrists.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Employers usually prefer to hire medical dosimetrists who have earned the Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) credential. Certification requires that candidates have a bachelor's degree, graduate from an accredited medical dosimetry program, and pass an exam. Maintaining certification requires completion of a specified number of hours of continuing education. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Work Experience in a Related Occupation Some medical dosimetrists work as radiation therapists before earning the credentials to become dosimetrists.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of medical dosimetrists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 200 openings for medical dosimetrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment As adults get older, their likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer rises. The expected increase in the number of older people will therefore increase the demand for cancer care. Because radiotherapy plays a vital role in treating this disease, medical dosimetrists will be needed to help develop treatment plans for patients. Medical Dosimetrists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Health technologists and technicians 7% Medical dosimetrists 5% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Medical Dosimetrists Do
Medical dosimetrists calculate doses of radiation and design and oversee treatment plans for patients with cancer and other serious diseases.
Duties
Medical dosimetrists typically do the following:
- Review a patient’s documents, such as their CT and MRI scans
- Calculate the proper dose of radiation to be administered to a patient
- Consult with other members of the radiation oncology team and design the radiation-delivery plan for patients
- May assist in designing molds, casts, and other immobilization devices to position patients during treatment
- Document treatment provided to a patient
- Perform quality assurance checks of treatment equipment
Medical dosimetrists develop and manage the radiation plans for patients receiving treatment for cancer or other diseases. They may begin by reviewing patient records, such as computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Then, based on a dosage range prescribed by the physician, medical dosimetrists calculate the exact dose and angle of radiation to be administered. They make these calculations both manually and with computers.
Medical dosimetrists’ calculations may vary based on the type of radiation treatment a physician prescribes. For example, external beam radiation angled at a tumor from outside the body may be administered at a higher dose than brachytherapy, which involves placing a radioactive device near the tumor inside the body.
In addition to overseeing radiation treatment, medical dosimetrists’ other responsibilities include helping to design immobilization devices that ensure patients remain motionless during procedures. They also keep records of each patient’s treatment, load or receive shipments, use radiation monitoring devices to measure radioactivity levels in patients, and calibrate equipment to ensure accuracy.
Dosimetrists are part of a radiation oncology team that usually includes medical physicists, oncology nurses, radiation oncologists and other physicians, and radiation therapists.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Medical dosimetrists held about 3,500 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of medical dosimetrists were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 58% |
| Offices of physicians | 27 |
| Outpatient care centers | 3 |
Medical dosimetrists spend much of their time at the computer when calculating doses of radiation and designing treatment plans. Dosimetrists typically have less direct contact with patients compared with other members of the radiation oncology team. However, they occasionally interact with patients, such as to reposition them for procedures.
Injuries and Illnesses
Medical dosimetrists work with radiation and radioactive material, so they must follow procedures for safe handling. Safety protocol includes wearing a film badge dosimeter to track radiation exposure.
Work Schedules
Most medical dosimetrists work full time. They usually have a regular work schedule because radiation therapy procedures are often planned in advance.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. To ensure proper treatment, medical dosimetrists must convey important information about a patient’s radiation dosage both orally and in writing. Critical-thinking skills. Medical dosimetrists analyze a patient's needs and health-related data, along with other factors, to determine treatment plans. Detail oriented. Medical dosimetrists must be precise when calculating the amount and location of radiation that a patient will receive. Interpersonal skills. Medical dosimetrists collaborate with other members of the radiation oncology team throughout a patient’s treatment. Math skills. Medical dosimetrists need a strong background in mathematics in order to calculate and verify the proper doses of radiation. Technical skills. Medical dosimetrists use computers and must be comfortable working with a variety of specialized medical equipment.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about medical dosimetrists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.