Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.

Radiation therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient centers. Most radiation therapists work full time.

Most radiation therapists complete programs that lead to an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Radiation therapists must be licensed or certified in most states. Requirements vary by state, but often include passing a national certification exam.

Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The risk of cancer increases as people age, so an aging population may increase demand for radiation therapists.

This occupation supported 19,100 jobs in 2012 and 16,600 jobs in 2014, reflecting a decline of 13.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 23.6% in 2022 to 23,600 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 20,000, compared with an observed value of 16,600, 17.0% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 12.0% in 2024 to 18,900 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 24,500 jobs for 2024, 29.6% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.