29 Series · SOC 29-1124
Radiation Therapists Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $105,310
- Median / year
- +3.3%
- 2024→2025
- $156,710
- Top 10% earn
- +1.9%
- Growth '24–'34
- 17,070
- Estimated US jobs
Radiation Therapists earn a median of $105,310 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $105,310, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $80,560 (10th percentile) to $156,710 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 17,070 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is California ($166,450).
The pay verdict
Radiation Therapists earn a median of $105,310, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 87% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Healthcare Practitioners and Technical, it ranks #33 of 71 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.9% by 2034.
- $105,310
- Median annual wage
- Top 13%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #33 of 71
- in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- 1.9×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: California at $166,450. Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Radiation Therapists moved from $85,560 in May 2019 to $105,310 in May 2025 (+23.1%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Radiation Therapists sits -1.4 pp near that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Radiation Therapists (SOC 29-1124) has a national median of $105,310 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $80,560 to $156,710, and the published mean is $114,990. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 17,070 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 47 state or territory areas and 77 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $101,990 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $105,310 in May 2025, a rise of $3,320 (+3.3%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.9% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as about as fast as average relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 900 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns Associate's degree as typical education needed for entry. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. California pays the highest state median at $166,450, which is +58% above the national figure. The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $206,350. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
Median Salary
$105,310
per year
Median Hourly
$50.63/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$114,990
average
Employment
17,070
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Radiation Therapists pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$105,310 Top 13% higher than 87% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 (this entry) | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$105,310 · 87th percentile of 825 US occupations
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 29-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Radiation Therapists; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Read the chart as text
- Registered Nurses: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.9%, Median annual wage $97550
- Licensed Practical a…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.6%, Median annual wage $64400
- Pharmacy Technicians: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.4%, Median annual wage $45750
- Physicians, All Other: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.5%, Median annual wage $265930
- Clinical Laboratory …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.7%, Median annual wage $62930
- Nurse Practitioners: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 40.1%, Median annual wage $132300
- Pharmacists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.6%, Median annual wage $140910
- Physical Therapists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 10.9%, Median annual wage $102760
- Radiologic Technolog…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.3%, Median annual wage $80110
- Dental Hygienists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 7%, Median annual wage $98100
- Medical Records Spec…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 7.1%, Median annual wage $51140
- Speech-Language Path…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 15%, Median annual wage $97870
- Health Technologists…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.2%, Median annual wage $50290
- Emergency Medical Te…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.1%, Median annual wage $44470
- Occupational Therapi…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 13.8%, Median annual wage $100330
- Physician Assistants: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 20.4%, Median annual wage $135880
- Psychiatric Technici…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 20%, Median annual wage $45130
- Respiratory Therapists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.1%, Median annual wage $82280
- Veterinary Technolog…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 9.1%, Median annual wage $47380
- Dentists, General: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $170950
- Surgical Technologists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.5%, Median annual wage $64650
- Family Medicine Phys…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.7%, Median annual wage $244180
- Paramedics: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5%, Median annual wage $60600
- Diagnostic Medical S…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 13%, Median annual wage $96590
- Radiation Therapists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.9%, Median annual wage $105310
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+1.9%
About as fast as average
Annual Openings
900
per year (projected)
Employment Change
+400
19,200 (2024) → 19,600 (2034)
Typical Education
Associate's degree
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
Fatality Rate
0.7/100K
Injury Rate
1.5/100
Danger Index
6.4/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Radiation Therapists roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ 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.
- ▸ Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
- ▸ Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
- ▸ Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
- ▸ Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
- ▸ Educate, prepare, and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.
- ▸ Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
Radiation Therapists pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $80,220 |
| 2016 | $80,160 |
| 2017 | $80,570 |
| 2018 | $82,330 |
| 2019 | $85,560 |
| 2020 | $86,850 |
| 2021 | $82,790 |
| 2022 | $89,530 |
| 2023 | $98,300 |
| 2024 | $101,990 |
| 2025 | $105,310 |
2015 median
$80,220
2025 median
$105,310
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$19,750 (+23.1%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+3.5%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $80,220 | First banked release | 16,930 |
| May 2016 | $80,160 | -0.1% | 17,450 |
| May 2017 | $80,570 | +0.5% | 17,250 |
| May 2018 | $82,330 | +2.2% | 18,260 |
| May 2019 | $85,560 | Classification break | 17,860 |
| May 2020 | $86,850 | +1.5% | 17,390 |
| May 2021 | $82,790 | -4.7% | 16,050 |
| May 2022 | $89,530 | +8.1% | 15,510 |
| May 2023 | $98,300 | +9.8% | 16,640 |
| May 2024 | $101,990 | +3.8% | 18,700 |
| May 2025 | $105,310 | +3.3% | 17,070 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $80,220 in May 2015 to $105,310 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +3.5% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 17,860 in May 2019 to 17,070 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 47 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $166,450 | +58% above national |
| 2 | Oregon | $131,600 | +25% above national |
| 3 | New York | $129,620 | +23% above national |
| 4 | New Jersey | $129,460 | +23% above national |
| 5 | Washington | $125,880 | +20% above national |
| 6 | Hawaii | $125,520 | +19% above national |
| 7 | Illinois | $124,600 | +18% above national |
| 8 | Connecticut | $116,170 | +10% above national |
| 9 | Kansas | $108,830 | +3% above national |
| 10 | Arizona | $108,760 | +3% above national |
| 11 | Colorado | $108,020 | +3% above national |
| 12 | Utah | $107,660 | +2% above national |
| 13 | Maryland | $107,120 | +2% above national |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $106,300 | +1% above national |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $106,270 | +1% above national |
| 16 | Texas | $105,770 | same as national |
| 17 | Montana | $105,400 | same as national |
| 18 | Virginia | $103,310 | 2% below national |
| 19 | Maine | $101,980 | 3% below national |
| 20 | Vermont | $101,060 | 4% below national |
| 21 | Florida | $100,920 | 4% below national |
| 22 | South Carolina | $100,790 | 4% below national |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $100,540 | 5% below national |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $100,250 | 5% below national |
| 25 | New Mexico | $100,010 | 5% below national |
| 26 | Missouri | $99,890 | 5% below national |
| 27 | Idaho | $99,660 | 5% below national |
| 28 | North Carolina | $99,250 | 6% below national |
| 29 | Nebraska | $98,670 | 6% below national |
| 30 | Ohio | $98,650 | 6% below national |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $98,390 | 7% below national |
| 32 | Minnesota | $98,000 | 7% below national |
| 33 | Kentucky | $97,760 | 7% below national |
| 34 | South Dakota | $97,470 | 7% below national |
| 35 | Indiana | $96,690 | 8% below national |
| 36 | Michigan | $95,890 | 9% below national |
| 37 | Louisiana | $94,710 | 10% below national |
| 38 | Georgia | $94,460 | 10% below national |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $93,600 | 11% below national |
| 40 | Nevada | $92,990 | 12% below national |
| 41 | Mississippi | $88,100 | 16% below national |
| 42 | Alabama | $87,330 | 17% below national |
| 43 | Tennessee | $83,520 | 21% below national |
| 44 | Iowa | $81,610 | 23% below national |
| 45 | Arkansas | $78,950 | 25% below national |
| 46 | West Virginia | $71,590 | 32% below national |
| 47 | Puerto Rico | $37,560 | 64% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 75 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $206,350 | +96% above national |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $205,670 | +95% above national |
| 3 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $182,240 | +73% above national |
| 4 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $171,500 | +63% above national |
| 5 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $169,150 | +61% above national |
| 6 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $135,550 | +29% above national |
| 7 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $133,410 | +27% above national |
| 8 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $130,800 | +24% above national |
| 9 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $128,650 | +22% above national |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $125,520 | +19% above national |
| 11 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $124,850 | +19% above national |
| 12 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $119,960 | +14% above national |
| 13 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $117,280 | +11% above national |
| 14 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $117,050 | +11% above national |
| 15 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $110,510 | +5% above national |
| 16 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $110,050 | +5% above national |
| 17 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $108,770 | +3% above national |
| 18 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $108,600 | +3% above national |
| 19 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $108,450 | +3% above national |
| 20 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $108,020 | +3% above national |
| 21 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $107,080 | +2% above national |
| 22 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $106,300 | +1% above national |
| 23 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $105,770 | same as national |
| 24 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $105,310 | same as national |
| 25 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $105,300 | same as national |
| 26 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $105,180 | same as national |
| 27 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $103,180 | 2% below national |
| 28 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,140 | 2% below national |
| 29 | Toledo, OH | $102,960 | 2% below national |
| 30 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $102,730 | 2% below national |
| 31 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,520 | 3% below national |
| 32 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $101,980 | 3% below national |
| 33 | Colorado Springs, CO | $101,940 | 3% below national |
| 34 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $101,930 | 3% below national |
| 35 | Richmond, VA | $101,380 | 4% below national |
| 36 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $101,320 | 4% below national |
| 37 | Baton Rouge, LA | $101,140 | 4% below national |
| 38 | Akron, OH | $101,050 | 4% below national |
| 39 | Winston-Salem, NC | $101,050 | 4% below national |
| 40 | Wichita, KS | $100,900 | 4% below national |
| 41 | Columbus, OH | $100,720 | 4% below national |
| 42 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $100,530 | 5% below national |
| 43 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $100,460 | 5% below national |
| 44 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $100,410 | 5% below national |
| 45 | Albuquerque, NM | $100,010 | 5% below national |
| 46 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $99,930 | 5% below national |
| 47 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $99,860 | 5% below national |
| 48 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $99,250 | 6% below national |
| 49 | Cleveland, OH | $99,200 | 6% below national |
| 50 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $98,890 | 6% below national |
| 51 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $98,630 | 6% below national |
| 52 | Oklahoma City, OK | $98,390 | 7% below national |
| 53 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $98,370 | 7% below national |
| 54 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $98,230 | 7% below national |
| 55 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $98,190 | 7% below national |
| 56 | Omaha, NE-IA | $97,360 | 8% below national |
| 57 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $96,870 | 8% below national |
| 58 | Eau Claire, WI | $96,730 | 8% below national |
| 59 | Jacksonville, FL | $96,180 | 9% below national |
| 60 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $94,190 | 11% below national |
| 61 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $92,060 | 13% below national |
| 62 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $90,240 | 14% below national |
| 63 | Green Bay, WI | $89,860 | 15% below national |
| 64 | Birmingham, AL | $87,460 | 17% below national |
| 65 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $86,590 | 18% below national |
| 66 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $86,100 | 18% below national |
| 67 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $86,030 | 18% below national |
| 68 | Columbia, MO | $84,980 | 19% below national |
| 69 | Pittsburgh, PA | $84,020 | 20% below national |
| 70 | Savannah, GA | $83,900 | 20% below national |
| 71 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $83,780 | 20% below national |
| 72 | Boise City, ID | $81,540 | 23% below national |
| 73 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $80,770 | 23% below national |
| 74 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $79,280 | 25% below national |
| 75 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $37,560 | 64% below national |
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 29 (Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
Acupuncturists
SOC 29-1291
Anesthesiologists
SOC 29-1211
Athletic Trainers
SOC 29-9091
Audiologists
SOC 29-1181
Cardiologists
SOC 29-1212
Showing 5 of 70 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($105,310 here) and reported employment (17,070 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Radiation Therapists make? ▼
Where does Radiation Therapists pay rank nationally? ▼
What state pays Radiation Therapists the most? ▼
What education do Radiation Therapists need? ▼
Does BLS publish a safety rate for Radiation Therapists? ▼
Is Radiation Therapists a good career? ▼
How does Radiation Therapists pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Radiation Therapists? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Radiation Therapists pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $126,340/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: California leads at $166,450/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.