Radiation Therapists
Machines can already do 27% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 55%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Radiation Therapists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 27% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 55% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 17,070 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $105,310 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 87% for contact with people.
- Also called: Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist), Dosimetrist, Radiation Therapist (RT), Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription | 18% | 18% to 51% | |
| Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards | 15% | 27% to 64% | |
| Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage | 8% | 38% to 65% | |
| Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification | 6% | 63% to 81% | |
| Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions | 6% | 63% to 81% | |
| Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation | 5% | 18% to 51% | |
| Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur | 5% | 32% to 60% | |
| 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 | 5% | 3% to 25% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills radiation therapists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $95,480
- Paramedics39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,600
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $80,110
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $74,310
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Radiation Therapists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of radiation therapists?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of radiation therapists today and 55% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1124.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Radiation Therapists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/radiation-therapists/