Radiation Therapist Job Outlook 

The field of radiation therapy is rapidly growing, changing, and improving. Well-qualified individuals are necessary to facilitate this positive progression and to use their knowledge of radiation therapy to help those in need. To give an effective overview of employment in the field, this article examines the statistics and trends surrounding the radiation therapist job outlook. 

• Radiation Therapy Job Growth
• Radiation Therapist Salary Trends
• Radiation Therapist Hiring Trends
• Radiation Therapist Education Trends
• Start Your Radiation Therapy Degree Today
   

Radiation Therapy Job Growth

The 2024-2034 projected growth rate for employment in the field of radiation therapy is 2 percent, about the same rate as the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the next decade, about 900 openings are projected per year in the field.

In 2023, the Philadelphia metropolitan area had the third highest employment for radiation therapists. 

Radiation Therapist Salary Trends

Radiation therapist salaries are competitive. The average salary across all occupations in the U.S. is $49,500, per the BLS. The average salary, even for the lowest paid 10% of radiation therapists, is around $77,860. Across all radiation therapists, the average yearly salary is $101,990, with the top 10% earning more than $141,550. 

These salaries vary slightly based on a number of factors. All salaries in the field are relatively high, but your employer, education level, and even the geographical state of employment can alter yearly pay. For example, radiation therapists in the Philadelphia metro area earned a median annual wage of $113,100 in 2024. Here are salaries based on common work settings:

Another note on salaries in the radiation therapy field — it’s important to factor in the schedule of a radiation therapist. Some jobs in the medical field have long and/or unpredictable hours. That’s typically not the case with radiation therapy. The work carried out by a radiation therapist must be planned well in advance, so a radiation therapist's schedule is usually standard. These high wages come with normal working hours. 

Highest Paying States for Radiation Therapists

As mentioned earlier, the salary for radiation therapists can be affected by the occupation’s geographic location. The variance in median salary is actually very substantial in a few cases. Here are the top five highest paying states and corresponding median salary for radiation therapy:

1. Radiation Therapist Salary Washington $155,820
2. Radiation Therapist Salary California: $153,040
3. Radiation Therapist Salary Nebraska: $136,510
4. Radiation Therapist Salary New York: $127,390
5. Radiation Therapist Salary Massachusetts: $120,240

A radiation therapist’s salary in Washington or California is highly competitive but remember to take into account the cost of living of these areas. Also be sure to consider the number of potential employers in an given area and additional education that those employers might require. A combination of all of these factors can determine your specific yearly salary.  

Radiation Therapist Hiring Trends

The job growth rate of radiation therapy is not all that is needed to understand the job market for the field. To paint a clearer picture of the radiation therapist job outlook, it’s helpful to know what kinds of employers are looking for radiation therapists and where these opportunities may be. 

The most common place of employment for someone in this field is a hospital. Specialty hospitals, like cancer or treatment centers, also employ radiation therapists. Offices of physicians and outpatient care centers are additional settings where radiation therapists can work.

Universities and other educational institutions may also employ radiation therapists to teach courses on radiation therapy, educating future professionals of the field.

States with the Most Radiation Therapist Job Opportunities

As for geographic trends in the employment of radiation therapists, there is no one particular area of the country with the highest concentration of professionals in the field.

In 2023, these were the five states with the highest employment in radiation therapy:

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. New York
4. California
5. Ohio

In 2023, these five states had the highest concentration of jobs in radiation therapy per location quotient, meaning they had a higher share of radiation therapists than average: 

1. Missouri
2. Arizona
3. Ohio
4. Kentucky
5. New Jersey 

Source

Radiation Therapist Education Trends

While you can earn an associate’s degree to become a radiation therapist, many employers prefer or even require a bachelor's degree in radiation therapy. Launching your career with higher degree can improve your earning potential and increase your chances of progressing in the industry, too.  

Why You Should Start Your Radiation Therapy Degree Today

Above, we covered the competitive salaries and job settings for radiation therapists. That's not the only reason to become a radiation therapist. This field allows you to make a difference for patients during one of the most, if not the most, challenging times of their lives. It is a hugely rewarding career. 

At Gwynedd Mercy University, you'll not only develop exceptional skills but also the compassion needed to care for your future patients. GMercyU offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy. Our specialized 20-month Bachelor of Health Science in Radiation Therapy program is for registered radiographers who are looking to advance their careers. 

 

An Exciting New Home for GMercyU Radiation Therapy Students

GMercyU's new Frances M. Maguire '55 Healthcare Innovation Center (HIC) opened in August 2025 and is now the largest academic building on campus. It features state-of-the-art classrooms, immersive simulation and skills labs, a convenient micro-market, and cozy spaces to study solo or with classmates. Here, you'll learn to address the healthcare needs of today and tomorrow, with the goal of improving access and equity for all.

The HIC is equipped with a state-of-the-art teaching tool, the VERT (Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training) for our Radiation Therapy majors. The VERT offers a safe, simulated radiotherapy environment, complete with 3D views and life-size visualizations for you to practice simulated radiation therapy techniques.