Radiation therapists help treat patients with radiation.
With the population in the United States quickly aging, jobs for radiation therapists are expected to grow 27 percent from 2008 to 2018. To enter into this growing field, you generally need some type of training in radiation therapy from an educational program, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The starting salary for a radiation therapist is $45,200 to $61,700, but will increase with experience, according to PayScale.com.
Experience
As with most careers, radiation therapists just beginning in the business have some of the lowest salaries. They report a salary range of $45,200 to $61,700, according to PayScale.com. Those with one to four years of experience have a salary range of $50,000 to $67,500 while those with five to nine years of experience have a slightly higher salary range of $52,000 to $71,600. As of June 2010, the highest paid radiation therapists are those with the most experience. Those with 10 to 19 years of experience report a salary range of $66,900 to $85,000 while those with 20 plus years of experience report a salary range of $66,500 to $88,800.
Company Size
As a radiation therapist, the size of the company that you work for may also determines your salary potential. According to PayScale, radiation therapists working for companies with one to nine employees have a salary range of $53,100 to $68,400. Those working for companies with either 10 to 49 employees, 50 to 199 employees or 600 to 1,999 employees have similar salary ranges with salaries generally falling between $55,000 and $76,300. As of June 2010, some of the highest paid radiation therapists are those working for companies employing 2,000 to 4,999 individuals. They report a salary range of $52,100 to $93,300.
Industry
Radiation therapists work in a several types of industries, most of which are related to health care in some way. Those working in cancer research have some of the lowest salaries reporting that salaries generally fall between $35,000 and $75,400, as of June 2010. Radiation therapists working in health clinics report some of the highest salaries with a salary range of $51,100 to $83,400. According to PayScale, radiation therapists working in hospitals have a salary range of $49,100 to $61,800.
Location
Where you work as a radiation therapist may also impact your salary potential. Those working in New York or Illinois are some of the highest paid radiation therapists with respective salary ranges of $56,200 to $78,600 and $53,500 to $78,000. As of June 2010, those in California report a salary range of $63,300 to $75,700 while those working in Texas report a salary range of $49,100 to $64,300, according to PayScale.
Benefits
As a radiation therapist, you may receive some type of benefits along with your salary package. Paid holidays and vacation time is a commonly reported benefit for radiation therapists, as is a 401(k) retirement plan. Some radiation therapists also may receive life insurance or disability and paid sick leave. Though not as commonly reported, they may receive a 403(b) retirement plan, reimbursement for education or training costs, and/or malpractice insurance, according to PayScale.
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