Occupations/29-1124.00
Radiation Therapists
Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
47%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
76%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
85%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
- Mostly routine
Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
- Mostly human
Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
- 02Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
- 03Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
- 04Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
- 05Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
- 06Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks4.68
- Degree of automation2.92
- Time sitting2.27
- Originality (ability)2.25
- Conflict situations3.43
- Hands-on objects/tools4.42
- Outdoors / weather1.05
- Disease exposure4.78
- Decision freedom4.14
Top abilities
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Problem Sensitivity3.88
- Oral Expression3.88
- Written Comprehension3.75
- Written Expression3.62
- Information Ordering3.62
- Deductive Reasoning3.50
- Speech Clarity3.38
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.75
- Active Listening3.75
- Writing3.12
- Speaking3.25
- Mathematics2.75
- Science2.75
- Critical Thinking3.50
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 64 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr $122,902 2 yr $112,319 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $12,600 | 48% | 84% | 1 yr $120,847 2 yr $121,294 Bachelor's · CIP 51.09 |
Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $43,600 | 76% | 64% | 1 yr $111,992 2 yr $111,435 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $10,900 | 96% | 68% | 1 yr $110,432 2 yr $101,645 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Howard University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $33,200 | 53% | 65% | 1 yr $103,555 2 yr $104,061 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $4,600 | 100% | 27% | 1 yr $103,078 2 yr $106,838 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $2,900 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $101,645 2 yr $98,551 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $4,900 | 100% | 27% | 1 yr $98,784 2 yr $105,529 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $98,766 2 yr $100,213 Professional · CIP 51.09 |
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $6,400 | 23% | 89% | 1 yr $97,673 2 yr $101,327 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI · Public | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $4,700 | 100% | 34% | 1 yr $66,541 2 yr $57,318 Bachelor's · CIP 51.09 |
Emory University Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit | Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist 51.0907 | $60,800 | 11% | 91% | 1 yr $63,997 2 yr $57,318 Bachelor's · CIP 51.09 |