Radiation Therapist: Duties, Pay, and How to Become One

Key takeaways

Radiation therapists administer radiation treatment to patients faced with life-threatening conditions like cancer. At a glance, here's what you need to know about these important health care professionals:

• They earn a high wage but face slow job growth. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), radiation therapists earned a median wage of $101,990 in May 2024 but job opening are projected to grow by only 2 percent over the next decade [1,2].

• Radiation therapists pair medical knowledge with an expert understanding of the equipment used to provide radiation treatment to patients as they face a diagnosis that will likely be one of the most important events of their lives.

• If you’re an empathetic and detail-oriented individual looking to enter a patient-facing health care profession, then you might consider pursuing a career as a radiation therapist.

Below, you'll learn more about what radiation therapists are, what they do, how much they earn, and what you need to do to become one. Afterward, if you want to build foundational knowledge needed to become a radiation therapist, you might consider enrolling in Johns Hopkins' Cancer Biology Specialization.

What is a radiation therapist?

Radiation therapists are health care professionals who provide radiation treatment to patients suffering from serious health conditions like cancer and thyroid disease.

As key members of an oncology team, radiation therapists operate special machinery that targets cancer using radiation beams composed of photons, protons, or electrons to reduce or even eradicate cancerous tumors. Due to the high levels of radioactive materials they work with, radiation therapists must operate such machinery remotely in order to administer doses of radiation to patients safely from another room. Health care professionals working with radiation must also wear dosimeter badges to track their radiation exposure and keep it within safe levels. 

What does a radiation therapist do?

While radiation therapists focus on treating cancer and other diseases, they must also perform many other duties in their day-to-day work. Some of your most common duties as a radiation therapist may include:

• Providing and explaining individualized treatment plans to patients and then answering any questions they may have

• Identifying tumors and positioning patients with cancer correctly to ensure they receive proper treatment

• Operating and calibrating special equipment to administer radiation treatment

• Following proper protocol to ensure both patients and medical staff don’t receive improper radiation exposure

• Educating patients on treatment side effects and advising them on ways to alleviate their symptoms

• Monitoring patient reaction to treatment and advising alternative treatment plans when necessary

• Maintaining detailed records on patient progress

Where do radiation therapists work?

Radiation therapists work in a variety of health care settings. While you may typically find employment in local, state, and private hospitals, many radiation therapists also find work in physicians’ offices and outpatient centers. As a result, radiation therapists may work full-time in large, busy hospitals or part-time in smaller, slower-paced medical offices. 

Radiation therapist salary and job outlook 

Radiation therapists make a higher-than-average salary. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for radiation therapists was $101,990 in 2024 [1].

Radiation therapy jobs may grow a bit slower than average for all jobs in the United States over the next decade. According to the BLS, the number of open positions for radiation therapists may grow by 2 percent between 2024 and 2034, resulting in approximately 900 job openings each year throughout the decade [2]. 

How to become a radiation therapist

Radiation therapists are highly trained medical professionals who administer life-saving treatment to patients suffering from some of the most serious medical conditions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, the path to joining the profession is one defined by education, training, clinical experience, and professional development.

Here’s what you’ll likely need to do to start working as a radiation therapist in the real world: 

1. Gain your radiation therapist degree.

To qualify for a position as a radiation therapist, you must possess either an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy or a related field, such as biology or biochemistry. In some cases, applicants may qualify for a position by completing a relevant certification program with a curriculum in job-relevant skills. Typically, though, employers prefer candidates with radiation therapist bachelor’s degrees over those with less advanced degrees. 

How long does it take to become a radiation therapist?

Typically, it takes between two and four years to become a radiation therapist, depending on whether you pursue an associate or bachelor's degree. That said, some certificate programs may be shorter and provide a path toward the profession.

2. Develop your radiation therapy skills. 

Radiation therapists must have knowledge of human anatomy, health, and the specialized medical equipment they use every day to provide life-saving treatments.

They must also embody several important workplace skills to ensure they not only provide the best treatment possible to patients but also emotionally support them as they face a potentially life-threatening illness. Some common interpersonal skills you’ll need to be a successful radiation therapist include:

• Attention to detail: Radiation therapists must be detail-oriented to ensure that patients receive the exact amount of radiation in the precise spot they need it.

• Empathy: Radiation therapists must empathize with their patients to ensure they feel supported as they undergo treatment.

• Communication: As a radiation therapist, you’ll communicate treatment plans clearly to patients and coordinate with other health care professionals to ensure your patients’ needs are met.

3. Get certified and licensed. 

Most states require radiation therapists to be either licensed or certified, but the exact requirements you’ll have to fulfill will depend on the state where you practice. Nonetheless, many states require that you attend an accredited radiation therapy program and pass a certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Check your state’s requirements to ensure you do what you need to join the profession. 

Does a radiation therapist go to med school?

No, a radiation therapist does not need to go to medical school. Instead, a radiation therapist typically pursues either an associate or bachelor’s degree as well as a certification, depending on state requirements.

Prepare for radiation therapist jobs

As a radiation therapist, you’ll make sure patients with serious medical conditions get the care they need. Keep building toward your health care career goals with these resources from Coursera:

• Watch on YouTube: Why People Skills Matter at Work (And How to Improve Them)

• Read more: Patient Care articles

• Explore: Popular health care courses

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses. 

订阅 Coursera Plus，培养就业技能

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