Radiation Therapist

O*NET: Radiation Therapists·29-1124.00

The Verdict:Radiation therapists physically position patients and deliver precise radiation doses, adapting to individual anatomy in real time. No system replicates this hands-on clinical work. AI enhances planning and records but cannot perform treatments. Clinical trust, safety protocols, and licensure protect the role through the next decade as cancer cases rise.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$102k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+1.9%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 2 of 22 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
13 of 22 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 32% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

2exposed

7AI leverage

13human-essential

View all 22 tasks

AI Can Handle This2 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.

Schedule patients for treatment times.

AI Leverage7 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.

Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.

Help physicians, radiation oncologists, or clinical physicists to prepare physical or technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy.

Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session.

Photograph treated area of patient and process film.

Provide assistance to other healthcare personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.

Human Advantage13 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.

Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.

Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.

Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.

Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.

Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.

Educate, prepare, and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.

Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.

Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices.

Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel.

Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists.

Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician.

Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials, such as cobalt, radium, cesium, or isotopes, for use in radiation treatments.

Resilience Landscape

Radiation Therapist lands in Stable & Well-Paid

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