Radiation Therapist salary in California
Radiation Therapists in California earn a median of $166,450 a year ($80.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $130,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,100 for the top 10%. That is 58% higher than the national median of $105,310. California ranks 1st of 46 states for radiation therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.09 radiation therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $161,890, close to the median.
Pay range for radiation therapists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $130,150 | $62.57 |
| 25th percentile | $131,570 | $63.25 |
| Median | $166,450 | $80.02 |
| 75th percentile | $182,140 | $87.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,100 | $100.05 |
| Average (mean) | $161,890 | $77.83 |
Half of radiation therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,401.92 |
| Weekly | $3,200.96 |
| Hourly | $80.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Radiation Therapist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $206,350 | 130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $205,670 | 220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $182,240 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $171,500 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $169,150 | 480 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $130,800 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for radiation therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $166,450 |
| Oregon | $131,600 |
| New York | $129,620 |
| New Jersey | $129,460 |
| Washington | $125,880 |
| Hawaii | $125,520 |
| Illinois | $124,600 |
| Connecticut | $116,170 |
| Kansas | $108,830 |
| Arizona | $108,760 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1124. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a radiation therapist make in California?
The median salary for radiation therapists in California is $166,450 a year, or $80.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $130,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $208,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid radiation therapists make in California?
The top 10% of radiation therapists in California earn at least $208,100 a year. The top 25% earn $182,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for radiation therapists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $130,150 a year, and a quarter of radiation therapists earn $131,570 or less.
How many radiation therapists work in California?
About 1,720 radiation therapists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.