How much does a dosimetrist make?
Answer: A typical dosimetrist in the United States makes $147,470 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 3,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Dosimetrist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $111,670 | $147,470 | $185,450 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, education, and CMD certification can affect a dosimetrist’s pay, and more advanced or responsible tasks may matter too. Pay can also differ by location and employer, such as a hospital, clinic, or private practice.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a dosimetrist do?
Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.
What's a typical day like?
They review CT or MRI scans, mark the tumor and nearby organs on a computer, and work out radiation dose and beam angles with the cancer-care team. They check the plan for safety before treatment and keep records.
How to get this job
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a JRCERT-accredited dosimetry program of at least 12 months, including supervised clinical work. Then pass the MDCB exam for the CMD credential; some programs require radiation-therapy training first.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like figuring things out and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Before treatment, the plan gets a “dry run” on the machine to check that it can be delivered safely and accurately.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/print/medical-dosimetrists.htm
- mdcb.org/certification-exam-information/eligibility
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2023/interview/print/medical-dosimetrist.htm
- www.medicaldosimetry.org/publications/salary-and-workforce-surveys/
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY