How much does a radiation therapist make?
The median radiation therapist in the United States earns $105,310 per year, about $50.63 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all radiation therapists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1124.
Radiation therapist salary range
Pay for radiation therapists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $80,560 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $156,710. The average (mean) wage of $114,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $80,560 | $38.73 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $92,060 | $44.26 | |
| Median (50th) | $105,310 | $50.63 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $126,340 | $60.74 | |
| 90th percentile | $156,710 | $75.34 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for radiation therapists (SOC 29-1124), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Radiation therapist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Radiation therapists earn the most in California at $166,450 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $71,590. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $166,450 | 1,720 |
| Oregon | $131,600 | 160 |
| New York | $129,620 | 820 |
| New Jersey | $129,460 | 600 |
| Washington | $125,880 | 540 |
| Hawaii | $125,520 | N/A |
| Illinois | $124,600 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $116,170 | 110 |
| Kansas | $108,830 | 240 |
| Arizona | $108,760 | 410 |
| Colorado | $108,020 | 320 |
| Utah | $107,660 | 70 |
| Maryland | $107,120 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $106,300 | 330 |
| New Hampshire | $106,270 | 60 |
| Texas | $105,770 | 1,000 |
| Montana | $105,400 | 50 |
| Virginia | $103,310 | 500 |
| Maine | $101,980 | 140 |
| Vermont | $101,060 | 50 |
| Florida | $100,920 | 1,280 |
| South Carolina | $100,790 | 200 |
| Pennsylvania | $100,540 | 560 |
| District of Columbia | $100,250 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $100,010 | 100 |
| Missouri | $99,890 | 420 |
| Idaho | $99,660 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $99,250 | 710 |
| Nebraska | $98,670 | 120 |
| Ohio | $98,650 | 690 |
| Oklahoma | $98,390 | 120 |
| Minnesota | $98,000 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $97,760 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $97,470 | N/A |
| Indiana | $96,690 | 360 |
| Michigan | $95,890 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $94,710 | 230 |
| Georgia | $94,460 | 470 |
| Wisconsin | $93,600 | 550 |
| Nevada | $92,990 | 110 |
| Mississippi | $88,100 | 70 |
| Alabama | $87,330 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $83,520 | 350 |
| Iowa | $81,610 | 120 |
| Arkansas | $78,950 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $71,590 | 120 |
State median wages for radiation therapists (SOC 29-1124), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for radiation therapists
The BLS projects employment of radiation therapists to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 17,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 17,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 700 openings a year for radiation therapists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a radiation therapist
The typical entry-level education for radiation therapists is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a radiation therapist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $166,450) and the lowest (West Virginia, $71,590) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 17,070 people work as radiation therapists in the United States. At $105,310 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Radiation therapist salary FAQ
How much does a radiation therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a radiation therapist is $50.63. The middle half of radiation therapists earn between $44.26 and $60.74 per hour.
What is the highest radiation therapist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of radiation therapists earn more than $156,710 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a radiation therapist make a year?
The median annual salary for a radiation therapist is $105,310. The average (mean) wage of $114,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a radiation therapist a well paid job?
At $105,310 a year, a radiation therapist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 17,070 people work as radiation therapists in the United States.
Which state pays radiation therapists the most?
California has the highest median salary for radiation therapists at $166,450 a year. Oregon ($131,600) and New York ($129,620) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a radiation therapist a good career?
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a radiation therapist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for radiation therapists as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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