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.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
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
Radiation therapists typically need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Most states require radiation therapists to be licensed or certified, which often includes passing a national certification exam. PayThe median annual wage for radiation therapists was $105,310 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 700 openings for radiation therapists 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiation therapists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about radiation therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for radiation therapists was $105,310 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 700 openings for radiation therapists 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiation therapists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about radiation therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 700 openings for radiation therapists 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiation therapists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about radiation therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.
Work Environment
Radiation therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient centers. Most radiation therapists work full time.
How to Become a Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists typically need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Most states require radiation therapists to be licensed or certified, which often includes passing a national certification exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for radiation therapists was $105,310 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 700 openings for radiation therapists 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiation therapists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about radiation therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Radiation therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient centers. Most radiation therapists work full time.
How to Become a Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists typically need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Most states require radiation therapists to be licensed or certified, which often includes passing a national certification exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for radiation therapists was $105,310 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 700 openings for radiation therapists 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiation therapists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about radiation therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiation therapists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about radiation therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about radiation therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
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.