Radiation Therapists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Radiation Therapists out-earn Registered Nurses by $8K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Radiation Therapists land at $105,310 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: radiation therapist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Radiation Therapists is California ($166,450); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Radiation Therapists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Radiation Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Radiation Therapists earn more nationally. The median is $105,310 for Radiation Therapists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $8K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Radiation Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 1.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Radiation Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Radiation Therapists typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Radiation Therapists get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Radiation Therapists at $166,450/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Radiation Therapists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Radiation Therapists earn $166,450 vs. $140,270 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.