Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Radiation therapists work in a specialized healthcare role with a clear national footprint and defined training path. With about 19,000 people employed across the country, this is a focused but established profession. The national median salary of $101,990 positions it as a strong earnings option for those who complete the required preparation. Projected employment growth of 1.9% and about 1,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of opportunities rather than a rapidly expanding field. The role calls for a mix of technical and people-focused strengths, including detail orientation, science, computers and information technology, and strong interpersonal skills. Success can also draw on mechanical abilities, fine motor skills, adaptability, leadership, customer service, and comfort with mathematics. For students or career changers interested in a healthcare career that combines technology and patient interaction, radiation therapy offers a specialized path with clearly defined compensation, growth expectations, and a typical entry route through an associate’s degree program.
Radiation therapists earn a national median annual salary of $101,990, providing a solid income baseline for this career. Pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, median salaries range from $106,300 in Massachusetts to $166,450 in California, with New York and Washington also above $120,000. Colorado’s median of $108,020 is closer to the national level but still represents strong earnings. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. For example, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA shows a median salary of $206,350, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is close at $205,670. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro offers $135,550, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH are closer to state-level medians. These figures highlight how location choices can significantly influence earning potential within this field.
Radiation therapists have a national employment base of about 19,000 workers, indicating a specialized but established profession. Projected employment growth of 1.9% points to incremental expansion over time. While this is not rapid growth, it suggests continued demand for qualified practitioners rather than a shrinking field. The estimate of 1,000 annual openings nationally is a key indicator for job seekers, reflecting ongoing replacement needs and modest growth combined. Together, these figures suggest that individuals who meet the education and skill requirements may find a consistent, if competitive, market for roles. Because the occupation is relatively small in total employment, each opening can be important, and geographic flexibility may help candidates access more opportunities. For those who value predictability and are willing to train specifically for this role, the outlook data support viewing radiation therapy as a stable, targeted career path with ongoing, regular hiring activity.
Location plays a meaningful role in opportunity and salary for radiation therapists. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $166,450, employment of 1,720, and the highest opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts follow with opportunity scores above 65 and median salaries of $129,620 and $106,300, respectively, though New York has more employment than Massachusetts. Colorado and Washington round out the top five states, with opportunity scores in the mid‑50s and median salaries between about $108,020 and $125,880. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA show very high median salaries above $200,000 and strong opportunity scores. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro also ranks highly with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $135,550. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Boston-Cambridge-Newton offer more moderate salaries and solid opportunity scores, giving multiple regional options to consider.
Radiation therapists typically enter the field with an associate’s degree, providing a defined and relatively streamlined educational path compared to longer-degree professions. This level of education serves as the foundation for building the blend of technical and interpersonal strengths associated with the role. Key skills include being detail oriented and comfortable with science, mathematics, and computers and information technology. The work also calls for fine motor skills and mechanical aptitude, suggesting the importance of precise, hands-on capabilities. Beyond technical strengths, interpersonal, customer service, adaptability, and leadership skills are also highlighted, reflecting the need to interact effectively with others and function well in changing situations. For students or career changers planning their preparation, focusing on programs that can develop these scientific, technical, and people-oriented abilities will align well with the expectations of this occupation and support readiness for entry-level roles after completing the associate’s degree.
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