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
- $156,710
- Top 10% earn
- +1.9%
- Growth '23–'33
- 17,070
- US workers
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 US workers. California pays the most ($166,450), since pay varies by state and metro area.
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 2033.
- $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.
Radiation Therapists (SOC 29-1124) pays a national median of $105,310 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $80,560 at the 10th percentile to $156,710 at the 90th, with a mean of $114,990 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 17,070 Americans work in this occupation across 47 reporting states and 77 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.9% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 900 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Associate's degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.7 per 100,000 and injury rate of 1.5 per 100.
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 top metro is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $206,350 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
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.
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).
Among 25 29-series occupations with growth data, Radiation Therapists sits on the slower-growing side at +1.9% growth and $105,310 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+1.9%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
900
per year (projected)
Typical Education
Associate's degree
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Very Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
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
10th Percentile
$80,560
25th Percentile
$92,060
Median
$105,310
75th Percentile
$126,340
90th Percentile
$156,710
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 77 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 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $97,470 | 7% below national |
| 57 | Omaha, NE-IA | $97,360 | 8% below national |
| 58 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $96,870 | 8% below national |
| 59 | Eau Claire, WI | $96,730 | 8% below national |
| 60 | Jacksonville, FL | $96,180 | 9% below national |
| 61 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $94,190 | 11% below national |
| 62 | Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $92,430 | 12% below national |
| 63 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $92,060 | 13% below national |
| 64 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $90,240 | 14% below national |
| 65 | Green Bay, WI | $89,860 | 15% below national |
| 66 | Birmingham, AL | $87,460 | 17% below national |
| 67 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $86,590 | 18% below national |
| 68 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $86,100 | 18% below national |
| 69 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $86,030 | 18% below national |
| 70 | Columbia, MO | $84,980 | 19% below national |
| 71 | Pittsburgh, PA | $84,020 | 20% below national |
| 72 | Savannah, GA | $83,900 | 20% below national |
| 73 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $83,780 | 20% below national |
| 74 | Boise City, ID | $81,540 | 23% below national |
| 75 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $80,770 | 23% below national |
| 76 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $79,280 | 25% below national |
| 77 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $37,560 | 64% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 29 (healthcare practitioners) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Radiation Therapists make? ▼
What state pays Radiation Therapists the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Radiation Therapists? ▼
How dangerous is being a 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
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $126,340/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. 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.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
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.