Radiation Therapists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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Radiation Therapists

Radiation Therapists provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

Salary
$94300
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Associate's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job description

Radiation Therapists provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

  • Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
  • Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
  • Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
  • Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
Read more about what does a Radiation Therapist really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$86730 per year

Average hourly wage
$42 per hour


Radiation Therapists with little to no experience tend to make between $56360 and $67490 while the more experienced ones can earn over $102380 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $55 $114,280
NJ $52 $107,850
OR $51 $105,970
CT $51 $105,570
WA $49 $101,830

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Radiation Therapist is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Radiation Therapists are CA, NJ, OR, CT and WA.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Radiation Therapist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Associate’s degree

We asked other Radiation Therapists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Medical Radiologic Technology/Science – Radiation Therapist
Read more about how to become a Radiation Therapist and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Radiation Therapist.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
86%

Is this job meaningful
93%


86% of Radiation Therapists said they were satisfied with their job and 93% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Helpers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Radiation Therapists

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Radiation Therapists job description, Radiation Therapists salary, Radiation Therapists information, what is the job of a Radiation Therapist like, pros and cons about Radiation Therapists, colleges and universities for Radiation Therapists, is Radiation Therapists the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical

Similar careers

Chief Radiation Therapist (Chief RT), Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist), Dosimetrist, Lead Radiation Therapist, Medical Dosimetrist, Radiation Therapist, Radiation Therapy Technician, Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT), Radiologic Therapist, Radiology Therapist

Additional resources


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