Radiation therapist salary
BLS occupation: Radiation Therapists · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $105,310 a year, US
Median hourly pay $50.63 an hour
Middle half earn $92,060–$126,340 25th to 75th percentile
Radiation therapists employed 17,070 +2.8% projected by 2035
How much does a radiation therapist make?
- The median radiation therapist salary in the US is $105,310 a year ($50.63 an hour): half of the 17,070 radiation therapists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $114,990.
- The middle half earn between $92,060 and $126,340. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $80,560 and the top 10% more than $156,710.
- That is 2.1 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays radiation therapists the most (median $166,450), followed by Oregon ($131,600) and New York ($129,620). West Virginia pays the least ($71,590).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in California, where the median is worth $150,334 in typical US prices, then Oregon and Illinois.
- In 70 of the 74 metro areas with data, the median radiation therapist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of radiation therapists to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 700 openings a year. The typical entry education is an associate's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what radiation therapists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Radiation therapist salary range
Half of radiation therapists earn between $92,060 and $126,340 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $80,560
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $92,060
Median Yearly pay: $105,310
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $126,340
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $156,710
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $80,560 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $92,060 |
| Median | $105,310 |
| Top 25% earn over | $126,340 |
| Top 10% earn over | $156,710 |
Radiation therapist salary by state
California pays radiation therapists the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($105,310), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $166,450 median |
| Oregon | $131,600 median |
| New York | $129,620 median |
| New Jersey | $129,460 median |
| Washington | $125,880 median |
| Hawaii | $125,520 median |
| Illinois | $124,600 median |
| Connecticut | $116,170 median |
| Kansas | $108,830 median |
| Arizona | $108,760 median |
| Colorado | $108,020 median |
| Utah | $107,660 median |
| Maryland | $107,120 median |
| Massachusetts | $106,300 median |
| New Hampshire | $106,270 median |
| Texas | $105,770 median |
| Montana | $105,400 median |
| Virginia | $103,310 median |
| Maine | $101,980 median |
| Vermont | $101,060 median |
| Florida | $100,920 median |
| South Carolina | $100,790 median |
| Pennsylvania | $100,540 median |
| District of Columbia | $100,250 median |
| New Mexico | $100,010 median |
| Missouri | $99,890 median |
| Idaho | $99,660 median |
| North Carolina | $99,250 median |
| Nebraska | $98,670 median |
| Ohio | $98,650 median |
| Oklahoma | $98,390 median |
| Minnesota | $98,000 median |
| Kentucky | $97,760 median |
| South Dakota | $97,470 median |
| Indiana | $96,690 median |
| Michigan | $95,890 median |
| Louisiana | $94,710 median |
| Georgia | $94,460 median |
| Wisconsin | $93,600 median |
| Nevada | $92,990 median |
| Mississippi | $88,100 median |
| Alabama | $87,330 median |
| Tennessee | $83,520 median |
| Iowa | $81,610 median |
| Arkansas | $78,950 median |
| West Virginia | $71,590 median |
Where radiation therapist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Radiation therapists' pay goes furthest in California once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| California | $150,334 |
| Oregon | $127,321 |
| Illinois | $124,652 |
| Kansas | $120,831 |
| New York | $120,106 |
| New Jersey | $118,984 |
| Washington | $117,631 |
| Hawaii | $114,160 |
| Connecticut | $112,122 |
| Oklahoma | $112,007 |
Radiation therapist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $166,450 | $80.02 | $130,150 | $208,100 | 1,720 | $150,334 |
| Oregon | $131,600 | $63.27 | $107,870 | $159,500 | 160 | $127,321 |
| New York | $129,620 | $62.32 | $88,590 | $163,580 | 820 | $120,106 |
| New Jersey | $129,460 | $62.24 | $109,650 | $160,720 | 600 | $118,984 |
| Washington | $125,880 | $60.52 | $98,160 | $174,670 | 540 | $117,631 |
| Hawaii | $125,520 | $60.35 | $110,610 | $131,460 | – | $114,160 |
| Illinois | $124,600 | $59.90 | $96,340 | $124,850 | – | $124,652 |
| Connecticut | $116,170 | $55.85 | $84,780 | $155,980 | 110 | $112,122 |
| Kansas | $108,830 | $52.32 | $85,540 | $166,680 | 240 | $120,831 |
| Arizona | $108,760 | $52.29 | $83,200 | $133,360 | 410 | $108,029 |
| Colorado | $108,020 | $51.93 | $90,970 | $130,750 | 320 | $104,821 |
| Utah | $107,660 | $51.76 | $92,870 | $166,660 | 70 | $108,897 |
| Maryland | $107,120 | $51.50 | $80,790 | $132,430 | 250 | $102,059 |
| Massachusetts | $106,300 | $51.11 | $83,160 | $133,820 | 330 | $100,513 |
| New Hampshire | $106,270 | $51.09 | $83,310 | $123,900 | 60 | $102,021 |
| Texas | $105,770 | $50.85 | $88,840 | $134,320 | 1,000 | $108,977 |
| Montana | $105,400 | $50.67 | $77,220 | $135,260 | 50 | $111,364 |
| Virginia | $103,310 | $49.67 | $81,380 | $134,620 | 500 | $102,182 |
| Maine | $101,980 | $49.03 | $85,060 | $142,420 | 140 | $105,080 |
| Vermont | $101,060 | $48.59 | $84,070 | $124,160 | 50 | $103,167 |
| Florida | $100,920 | $48.52 | $80,910 | $120,770 | 1,280 | $97,588 |
| South Carolina | $100,790 | $48.46 | $75,510 | $119,890 | 200 | $107,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $100,540 | $48.34 | $77,390 | $122,690 | 560 | $103,042 |
| District of Columbia | $100,250 | $48.20 | $82,780 | $132,300 | 70 | $91,218 |
| New Mexico | $100,010 | $48.08 | $58,700 | $128,540 | 100 | $108,457 |
| Missouri | $99,890 | $48.02 | $70,340 | $133,190 | 420 | $109,990 |
| Idaho | $99,660 | $47.91 | $81,540 | $126,590 | 100 | $104,363 |
| North Carolina | $99,250 | $47.72 | $79,780 | $109,210 | 710 | $105,220 |
| Nebraska | $98,670 | $47.44 | $69,620 | $142,880 | 120 | $109,508 |
| Ohio | $98,650 | $47.43 | $76,640 | $123,920 | 690 | $106,334 |
| Oklahoma | $98,390 | $47.30 | $76,310 | $125,520 | 120 | $112,007 |
| Minnesota | $98,000 | $47.12 | $79,540 | $108,630 | 210 | $99,370 |
| Kentucky | $97,760 | $47.00 | $56,010 | $127,470 | 170 | $108,431 |
| South Dakota | $97,470 | $46.86 | $80,140 | $138,030 | – | $110,029 |
| Indiana | $96,690 | $46.49 | $75,750 | $113,310 | 360 | $103,601 |
| Michigan | $95,890 | $46.10 | $79,610 | $110,030 | 450 | $99,660 |
| Louisiana | $94,710 | $45.53 | $76,350 | $107,430 | 230 | $107,372 |
| Georgia | $94,460 | $45.41 | $80,670 | $128,910 | 470 | $98,096 |
| Wisconsin | $93,600 | $45.00 | $77,980 | $114,380 | 550 | $99,474 |
| Nevada | $92,990 | $44.71 | $85,860 | $127,040 | 110 | $93,010 |
| Mississippi | $88,100 | $42.36 | $68,530 | $102,650 | 70 | $101,319 |
| Alabama | $87,330 | $41.99 | $62,420 | $104,670 | 120 | $98,319 |
| Tennessee | $83,520 | $40.15 | $77,730 | $101,340 | 350 | $90,911 |
| Iowa | $81,610 | $39.24 | $66,590 | $102,270 | 120 | $92,990 |
| Arkansas | $78,950 | $37.96 | $62,300 | $108,910 | 80 | $90,813 |
| West Virginia | $71,590 | $34.42 | $54,880 | $106,140 | 120 | $79,992 |
BLS does not publish pay for radiation therapists in 5 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Radiation therapist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes radiation therapist pay: 74 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $206,350
- San Francisco, CA $205,670
- Sacramento, CA $182,240
- San Diego, CA $171,500
- Los Angeles, CA $169,150
- New York, NY $135,550
- Seattle, WA $133,410
- Riverside, CA $130,800
- Portland, OR $128,650
- Honolulu, HI $125,520
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $186,872
- San Francisco, CA $177,895
- Sacramento, CA $170,845
- San Diego, CA $153,280
- Los Angeles, CA $148,944
- Kansas City, MO $126,730
- Riverside, CA $122,884
- Portland, OR $122,035
- Chicago, IL $120,517
- New York, NY $120,421
All 74 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $206,350 | 130 | $186,872 | 22% |
| San Francisco, CA | $205,670 | 220 | $177,895 | 20% |
| Sacramento, CA | $182,240 | 110 | $170,845 | 15% |
| San Diego, CA | $171,500 | 140 | $153,280 | 21% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $169,150 | 480 | $148,944 | 21% |
| New York, NY | $135,550 | 960 | $120,421 | 31% |
| Seattle, WA | $133,410 | 250 | $120,045 | 20% |
| Riverside, CA | $130,800 | – | $122,884 | 23% |
| Portland, OR | $128,650 | 130 | $122,035 | 17% |
| Honolulu, HI | $125,520 | – | $113,121 | 29% |
| Chicago, IL | $124,850 | – | $120,517 | 21% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $119,960 | 390 | $116,973 | 19% |
| Kansas City, MO | $117,280 | 220 | $126,730 | 16% |
| Dallas, TX | $117,050 | 220 | $113,542 | 17% |
| Hartford, CT | $110,510 | 50 | $107,556 | 22% |
| Baltimore, MD | $110,050 | 110 | $105,324 | 21% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $108,770 | 350 | $105,279 | 19% |
| San Antonio, TX | $108,600 | 50 | $114,659 | 16% |
| Washington, DC | $108,450 | 270 | $99,601 | 27% |
| Denver, CO | $108,020 | 150 | $102,116 | 21% |
| Allentown, PA | $107,080 | 30 | $107,114 | 21% |
| Boston, MA | $106,300 | 260 | $98,184 | 34% |
| Houston, TX | $105,770 | 350 | $107,240 | 19% |
| St. Louis, MO | $105,310 | 200 | $110,750 | 16% |
| Austin, TX | $105,300 | 120 | $107,377 | 18% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $105,180 | – | $111,690 | 18% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $103,180 | 140 | $106,440 | 18% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $103,140 | 110 | $105,308 | 22% |
| Toledo, OH | $102,960 | 40 | $112,580 | 15% |
| Naples, FL | $102,730 | – | $99,545 | 30% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $102,520 | 150 | $107,497 | 18% |
| Portland, ME | $101,980 | 70 | $100,120 | 27% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $101,940 | 50 | $101,224 | 21% |
| New Orleans, LA | $101,930 | 50 | $110,079 | 19% |
| Richmond, VA | $101,380 | 80 | $103,599 | 20% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $101,320 | 30 | $102,707 | 18% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $101,140 | 40 | $111,412 | 16% |
| Akron, OH | $101,050 | 50 | $108,225 | 16% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $101,050 | 70 | $109,786 | 18% |
| Wichita, KS | $100,900 | 40 | $113,440 | 14% |
| Columbus, OH | $100,720 | 160 | $105,500 | 18% |
| Detroit, MI | $100,530 | 190 | $100,231 | 18% |
| Lakeland, FL | $100,460 | 30 | $103,417 | 22% |
| Louisville, KY | $100,410 | 90 | $107,882 | 16% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $100,010 | 50 | $104,672 | 18% |
| Tampa, FL | $99,930 | 150 | $99,048 | 24% |
| Atlanta, GA | $99,860 | 280 | $99,802 | 22% |
| Charlotte, NC | $99,250 | 360 | $101,954 | 21% |
| Cleveland, OH | $99,200 | 130 | $105,618 | 17% |
| Orlando, FL | $98,890 | 110 | $97,507 | 23% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $98,630 | 100 | $94,093 | 21% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $98,390 | 70 | $108,829 | 17% |
| Charleston, SC | $98,370 | 40 | $97,433 | 25% |
| Lansing, MI | $98,230 | 30 | $103,410 | 16% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $98,190 | 70 | $102,606 | 19% |
| Omaha, NE | $97,360 | 60 | $105,929 | 17% |
| Memphis, TN | $96,870 | 50 | $105,089 | 17% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $96,730 | 80 | $104,239 | 14% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $96,180 | 170 | $96,679 | 21% |
| Raleigh, NC | $94,190 | – | $95,959 | 21% |
| Miami, FL | $92,060 | 310 | $80,645 | 35% |
| Little Rock, AR | $90,240 | 50 | $100,980 | 16% |
| Green Bay, WI | $89,860 | 40 | $96,534 | 15% |
| Birmingham, AL | $87,460 | 40 | $95,435 | 19% |
| Augusta, GA | $86,590 | 30 | $94,219 | 20% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $86,100 | – | $85,915 | 24% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $86,030 | – | $94,923 | 18% |
| Columbia, MO | $84,980 | 60 | $95,016 | 21% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $84,020 | 140 | $88,749 | 21% |
| Savannah, GA | $83,900 | 40 | $88,125 | 25% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $83,780 | 30 | $87,686 | 23% |
| Boise, ID | $81,540 | 70 | $82,873 | 28% |
| Nashville, TN | $80,770 | – | $83,840 | 27% |
| Dayton, OH | $79,280 | – | $85,529 | 20% |
What the median radiation therapist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $105,310 |
| Month | $8,776 |
| Every two weeks | $4,050 |
| Week | $2,025 |
| Hour | $50.63 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a radiation therapist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +2.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 700 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about radiation therapist pay
How much does a radiation therapist make an hour?
The median is $50.63 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38.73 and the top 10% over $75.34.
How much does a radiation therapist make a month?
About $8,776 a month before taxes at the median salary of $105,310, or $4,050 every two weeks.
What state pays radiation therapists the most?
California, with a median of $166,450. Oregon ($131,600), New York ($129,620), New Jersey ($129,460) and Washington ($125,880) follow.
Where do radiation therapists make the most after cost of living?
California: its median of $166,450 is worth $150,334 at typical US prices. Oregon, Illinois and Kansas come next.
How much do entry-level radiation therapists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of radiation therapists earn under $80,560 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $92,060, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a radiation therapist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as an associate's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1124 (Radiation Therapists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.