How much does a dosimetrist make?
a year · about $71 an hour
A typical dosimetrist in the United States makes $147,470 a year, about $71 an hour, about 2.9× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Before treatment, the plan gets a “dry run” on the machine to check that it can be delivered safely and accurately.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $111,670 and $185,450How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like figuring things out and keeping things organized
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($189,280), lowest in West Virginia ($45,350).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| 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 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $189,280 | about 60 |
| Oregon | $183,990 | about 40 |
| New Jersey | $170,650 | about 90 |
| New York | $166,540 | about 300 |
| Illinois | $163,860 | about 140 |
Official definition: Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.
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