Medical dosimetrists

SOC Code: 29-2036
Also known as:
CMD (Certified Medical Dosimetrist), Dosimetrist, Medical Dosimetrist, Medical Physicist, Medical Radiation Dosimetrist
Median Annual Salary
$138,110
+3.5% growth (2024-2034)
200
Openings/Year
5K
Current Jobs

What Medical dosimetrists Do

Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.

💰 Salary

$138,110
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+3.5%
As fast as average

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

200
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

4,800

Projected Employment (2034)

4,900

Related Careers

Nuclear technicians

$104,240 • -7.7% growth

Radiation therapists

$101,990 • +1.9% growth

Radiologists

N/A • +2.7% growth

Nuclear medicine technologists

$97,020 • +3.0% growth

Top Skills Required

Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Writing

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Design the arrangement of radiation fields to reduce exposure to critical patient structures, such as organs, using computers, manuals, and guides.
  • Plan the use of beam modifying devices, such as compensators, shields, and wedge filters, to ensure safe and effective delivery of radiation treatment.
  • Identify and outline bodily structures, using imaging procedures, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography.
  • Calculate the delivery of radiation treatment, such as the amount or extent of radiation per session, based on the prescribed course of radiation therapy.
  • Calculate, or verify calculations of, prescribed radiation doses.
  • Develop radiation treatment plans in consultation with members of the radiation oncology team.
  • Supervise or perform simulations for tumor localizations, using imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography scans.
  • Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for treatment delivery, using image-guided radiation therapy.
  • Record patient information, such as radiation doses administered, in patient records.
  • Advise oncology team members on use of beam modifying or immobilization devices in radiation treatment plans.

Technology & Tools

Eclipse IDE Epic Systems MEDITECH software

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Medical dosimetrists

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a medical dosimetrists:

Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist

4,111 degrees awarded • 215 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Medical dosimetrists

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become medical dosimetrists.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 43 B+
2 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL 133 B
3 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, WI 50 B
4 Washburn University Topeka, KS 39 B
5 Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR 39 B
6 Wayne State University Detroit, MI 24 B
7 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 20 B
8 University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM 20 B
9 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 18 B
10 Clarkson College Omaha, NE 124 C+
11 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 86 C+
12 CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY 78 C+
13 Morehead State University Morehead, KY 50 C+
14 Greenville Technical College Greenville, SC 46 C+
15 University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV 43 C+
16 Bellevue College Bellevue, WA 38 C+
17 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS 35 C+
18 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA 34 C+
19 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI 33 C+
20 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL 28 C+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical dosimetrists make?
The median annual salary for medical dosimetrists is $138,110.
What education do medical dosimetrists need?
Most medical dosimetrists positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist.
Is becoming medical dosimetrists a good career choice?
Medical dosimetrists is projected to see +3.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 200 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for medical dosimetrists?
Top colleges for aspiring medical dosimetrists include Ohio State University-Main Campus, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Washburn University, Arkansas State University. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to medical dosimetrists?
Medical dosimetrists may also be known as: CMD (Certified Medical Dosimetrist), Dosimetrist, Medical Dosimetrist, Medical Physicist, Medical Radiation Dosimetrist, Radiation Dosimetrist, Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist, Radiation Therapy Dosimetrist (RT Dosimetrist). These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.