Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who play a critical role in cancer treatment by administering precise doses of radiation therapy to destroy tumor cells while protecting healthy tissue.
Loading programs...
Getting Started
How to Become a Radiation Therapist
At 4.3 years to get started, this is faster than the 4.9 years average for Bachelor's Degree-level careers.
Complete Education
Earn your Bachelor's Degree (typically 4.3 years) at an estimated cost of $69k–$145k.
Get Licensed or Certified
Complete any state-required licensing or certification exams for radiation therapist practice.
Begin Working
Radiation Therapist earn a median salary of $102k/yr, with entry-level positions starting somewhat lower.
Education costs from College Scorecard. Training timelines from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Pathway quick answers
- How do you become a Radiation Therapist?Complete required education, licensing, and supervised training for Radiation Therapist.
- How long does it take?Typical path to first paid role: 4.3 years.
- How much does it cost?Estimated education and training cost range: $69k-$145k (living expenses excluded).
Estimates use College Scorecard tuition data plus cited pathway and licensing requirements.
Overview
What Does a Radiation Therapist Do?
Radiation Therapists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who play a critical role in cancer treatment by administering precise doses of radiation therapy to destroy tumor cells while protecting healthy tissue. Working as vital members of the oncology team alongside radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, and nurses, they operate sophisticated equipment like linear accelerators to deliver life-saving treatments to patients facing serious illnesses. Beyond the technical expertise required to operate complex machinery and utilize advanced technologies like Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), radiation therapists provide essential emotional support and education to patients and families navigating cancer treatment.
On the Job
Compensation
How Much Does a Radiation Therapist Make?
At $102k/yr, radiation therapist earn more than most Bachelor's Degree-level careers, where the average is $69k/yr.
$102k/yr
median annual salary
How It Compares
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Radiation Therapist | $102k/yr |
| EKG/ECG Technician | $67k/yr |
| Ultrasound Technician | $89k/yr |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $89k/yr |
| Cardiovascular Technician | $67k/yr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
After investing roughly $107k in education, radiation therapist typically begin earning within 4.3 years. Based on entry-level salaries of $76k/yr growing toward a $102k/yr median. The average education cost for Bachelor's Degree-level careers is $110k.
Radiation Therapist ROI
Net earnings over 20 years
$1.4M
Pre-tax 20-year estimate after required education and training costs; taxes and living expenses excluded.
How the 20-year estimate is calculated
Radiation Therapist Career ROI (20-year net earnings)
Track how education costs and earnings typically accumulate from enrollment through year 20.
Cumulative net earnings (USD)
The full chart keeps 20-year context. The detail chart below zooms in on early pathway years.
Sources: BLS, Accreditor, AccreditorSee Sources and methods.
Early-years detail
Years 0-8
Years 0-8. Scaled to early-year values. Black markers show key checkpoints.
Quick answers
- Is becoming a Radiation Therapist financially worth it?Typical 20-year net estimate: $1.4M (pre-tax, living expenses excluded).
- How much does training cost for a Radiation Therapist?Estimated required education and licensing cost to become a Radiation Therapist: $107k (range used: $69k-$145k). Breakdown: Bachelor's Degree in Radiation Therapy: $106k; ARRT Radiation Therapy Certification: $225; State Licensure: $200.
- How long does it take to become a Radiation Therapist?Typical time to first paycheck is about 4.3 years. Typical time to enter the target Radiation Therapist role is about 4.3 years.
- How do you become a Radiation Therapist?See How to Become for pathway steps, timing, and credential requirements.
Detailed math
How 20-year net is built from each training and career phase.
| Phase | Time window | Gross earnings | Education/training cost | Net contribution | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bachelor's Degree in Radiation Therapy Education | Years 0-3 (m0-m47) | $0 | -$106,324 | -$106,324 | |
ARRT Radiation Therapy Certification Training/Licensing | Year 4 (m50-m50) | $0 | -$225 | -$225 | |
State Licensure Training/Licensing | Year 4 (m52-m52) | $0 | -$200 | -$200 | |
Entry-Level Radiation Therapist Career | Years 4-19 (m52-m239) | $1,540,096 | $0 | $1,540,096 | |
Model reconciliation Reconciliation | Years 0-20 (m0-m239) | -$63 | $0 | -$63 | None |
| 20-year totals | $1,540,033 | -$106,749 | $1,433,284 | Matches 20-year ROI formula | |
Sources and methods
Sources
Assumptions
- Pathway sequence and timing follow the cited training and licensing pathway for this role.BLS
- Earnings benchmarks come from cited occupation wage references.BLS
- Education and training cost uses College Scorecard tuition and cited pathway fees when needed.College Scorecard
- Cost allocation follows a model rule: short completed steps post in completion year; longer tuition steps are spread across phase years.Model ruleBLSCollege Scorecard
- Taxes and living expenses are excluded from this estimate.Model rule
Future-Proofing
Radiation Therapist Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Employment Growth
The BLS projects 1.2% growth over the next decade — slower than the 5.5% average for Bachelor's Degree-level careers.
10-Year Growth
1.2%
Little or no change
Current Employment
18,700
jobs nationwide
AI Impact
Moderate AI Impact
Radiation Therapist roles have moderate AI impact — roughly average AI exposure among Bachelor's Degree-level careers. AI tools augment several tasks, but core duties still require human expertise. Core responsibilities like state licensing requirements require human presence and judgment that AI cannot replicate.
Why It's Safe
- +Assisting and caring for others
- +Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
- +Performing general physical activities
- +Handling and moving objects
- +Developing and building teams
What Could Be Automated
- −Controlling machines and processes
- −Documenting/recording information
- −Performing for or working directly with the public
- −Working with computers
- −Getting information
Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology and Bureau of Labor Statistics projections
Explore More
Similar Careers to Compare
EKG/ECG Technician
Ultrasound Technician
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Cardiovascular Technician
Radiologic Technologist
Learn More
Related Guides
Occupational Therapist Salary
Occupational therapy offers competitive salaries and growth opportunities in health care. Learn more about how much you can make as an occupation therapist.
Physical TherapistPhysical Therapist Salary
Physical therapists in the United States earn an average annual salary of $100,440.
Recreational TherapistRecreational Therapist Salary
Recreational therapists earn an average of $60,910 annually.
Sources
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
Advanced Methodology
Education cost source id: college_scorecard_2025
Source update dates: BLS OEWS: 2024-05 · BLS Projections: 2024-09 · O*NET: 2024-12