Medical Dosimetrists
Medical Dosimetrists (SOC 29-2036) earn a median $147,470 a year ($70.90 an hour) in the United States, with 3,410 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Washington.
What medical dosimetrists do
Medical dosimetrists generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise implementation of the plan, and consult with members of the radiation oncology team. They identify and outline bodily structures on x-ray, MRI, CT or PET images, then design the arrangement of radiation fields to reduce exposure to critical structures such as organs, using computers, manuals and guides. They plan the use of beam modifying devices such as compensators, shields and wedge filters so that treatment is safe and effective, and calculate the amount and extent of radiation per session from the prescribed course. They calculate or verify the prescribed doses, develop plans in consultation with the team, and supervise or perform simulations for tumor localization. Reference images and localization markers are created and transferred for image-guided delivery of treatment. O*NET alternate titles include radiation therapy dosimetrist, certified medical dosimetrist and medical physicist. About 40 percent of respondents report a bachelor's degree and 35 percent a post-baccalaureate certificate. The work centers on planning and calculation rather than delivering the treatment.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a bachelor's degree as the typical level of education for this occupation (40 percent).
Also called: CMD (Certified Medical Dosimetrist), Dosimetrist, Medical Dosimetrist, Medical Physicist, Medical Radiation Dosimetrist.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $53.69 | $63.50 | $70.90 | $80.31 | $89.16 | $71.40 | 3,410 |
| Annual | $111,670 | $132,080 | $147,470 | $167,030 | $185,450 | $148,500 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where medical dosimetrists earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington | Hourly | $73.46 | $81.57 | $91.00 | $102.59 | $110.12 | $92.26 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.75 |
| Annual | $152,800 | $169,670 | $189,280 | $213,390 | $229,060 | $191,900 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $81.18 | $85.07 | $88.46 | $96.30 | $97.11 | $89.39 | 40 | 0.02 | 1.01 |
| Annual | $168,850 | $176,950 | $183,990 | $200,310 | $201,990 | $185,930 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $69.93 | $75.97 | $82.04 | $94.16 | $112.57 | $86.65 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.97 |
| Annual | $145,450 | $158,020 | $170,650 | $195,850 | $234,140 | $180,230 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $63.33 | $67.93 | $80.07 | $87.04 | $101.21 | $80.60 | 300 | 0.03 | 1.40 |
| Annual | $131,730 | $141,300 | $166,540 | $181,050 | $210,520 | $167,640 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $61.40 | $66.33 | $78.78 | $81.49 | $84.75 | $76.06 | 140 | 0.02 | 1.06 |
| Annual | $127,720 | $137,970 | $163,860 | $169,500 | $176,290 | $158,200 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $57.19 | $62.14 | $64.75 | $80.03 | $84.08 | $69.68 | 330 | 0.02 | 1.08 |
| Annual | $118,960 | $129,240 | $134,680 | $166,460 | $174,880 | $144,940 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $59.56 | $66.98 | $73.79 | $78.55 | $85.22 | $73.35 | 320 | 0.03 | 1.48 |
| Annual | $123,880 | $139,330 | $153,490 | $163,390 | $177,250 | $152,560 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $63.33 | $67.93 | $80.07 | $87.04 | $101.21 | $80.60 | 300 | 0.03 | 1.40 |
| Annual | $131,730 | $141,300 | $166,540 | $181,050 | $210,520 | $167,640 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $28.18 | $64.69 | $67.49 | $82.72 | $97.29 | $70.36 | 240 | 0.01 | 0.60 |
| Annual | $58,620 | $134,540 | $140,380 | $172,060 | $202,360 | $146,350 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $51.13 | $57.70 | $68.68 | $75.04 | $80.36 | $67.57 | 160 | 0.03 | 1.21 |
| Annual | $106,350 | $120,010 | $142,850 | $156,090 | $167,160 | $140,540 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $81.57 | $88.49 | $98.48 | $110.12 | $112.74 | $98.06 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.77 |
| Annual | $169,670 | $184,060 | $204,840 | $229,060 | $234,500 | $203,970 | ||||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Hourly | $64.70 | $78.55 | $85.22 | $85.22 | $97.16 | $84.84 | 40 | 0.03 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $134,570 | $163,390 | $177,250 | $177,250 | $202,090 | $176,460 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $68.03 | $71.78 | $84.63 | $93.34 | $102.35 | $85.44 | 280 | 0.03 | 1.36 |
| Annual | $141,510 | $149,300 | $176,030 | $194,150 | $212,880 | $177,710 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $61.42 | $72.74 | $79.63 | $81.49 | $84.04 | $77.19 | 110 | 0.03 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $127,760 | $151,290 | $165,620 | $169,500 | $174,800 | $160,560 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $59.11 | $63.94 | $76.72 | $97.57 | $97.57 | $77.35 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.96 |
| Annual | $122,950 | $132,980 | $159,570 | $202,940 | $202,940 | $160,890 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $68.03 | $71.78 | $84.63 | $93.34 | $102.35 | $85.44 | 280 | 0.03 | 1.36 |
| Annual | $141,510 | $149,300 | $176,030 | $194,150 | $212,880 | $177,710 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $57.33 | $59.43 | $64.06 | $80.46 | $81.44 | $66.91 | 130 | 0.04 | 1.86 |
| Annual | $119,250 | $123,620 | $133,240 | $167,360 | $169,390 | $139,170 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $61.42 | $72.74 | $79.63 | $81.49 | $84.04 | $77.19 | 110 | 0.03 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $127,760 | $151,290 | $165,620 | $169,500 | $174,800 | $160,560 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $59.11 | $63.94 | $76.72 | $97.57 | $97.57 | $77.35 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.96 |
| Annual | $122,950 | $132,980 | $159,570 | $202,940 | $202,940 | $160,890 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $64.00 | $67.93 | $75.02 | $85.35 | $103.37 | $77.95 | 80 | 0.03 | 1.23 |
| Annual | $133,110 | $141,290 | $156,040 | $177,530 | $215,010 | $162,130 | ||||
Top industries employing medical dosimetrists
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals employ 51.0% of medical dosimetrists nationally (1,740 jobs) at a median $147,490 a year ($70.91 an hour), followed by Offices of Physicians (27.0%) and Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals (8.2%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 1,740 | 51.0% | $147,490 | $70.91 |
| Offices of Physicians NAICS 621100 | 920 | 27.0% | $148,190 | $71.25 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals NAICS 622300 | 280 | 8.2% | $141,040 | $67.81 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 120 | 3.5% | $136,090 | $65.43 |
| Outpatient Care Centers NAICS 621400 | 120 | 3.5% | $174,400 | $83.85 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (3,410). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $127,270 for medical dosimetrists in May 2021 and $147,470 in May 2025, with employment of 2,400 and 3,410.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $127,270 | $61.19 | 2,400 |
| May 2022 | $128,970 | $62.01 | 3,190 |
| May 2023 | $132,880 | $63.88 | 3,900 |
| May 2024 | $138,110 | $66.40 | 3,970 |
| May 2025 | $147,470 | $70.90 | 3,410 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
27 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington profile | $91.00 | $189,280 | $152,800 | $229,060 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.75 |
| 2 | Oregon profile | $88.46 | $183,990 | $168,850 | $201,990 | 40 | 0.02 | 1.01 |
| 3 | New Jersey profile | $82.04 | $170,650 | $145,450 | $234,140 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.97 |
| 4 | New York profile | $80.07 | $166,540 | $131,730 | $210,520 | 300 | 0.03 | 1.40 |
| 5 | Illinois profile | $78.78 | $163,860 | $127,720 | $176,290 | 140 | 0.02 | 1.06 |
| 6 | Georgia profile | $74.71 | $155,390 | $127,320 | $215,010 | 140 | 0.03 | 1.27 |
| 7 | Florida profile | $73.79 | $153,490 | $123,880 | $177,250 | 320 | 0.03 | 1.48 |
| 8 | Ohio profile | $72.55 | $150,900 | $105,630 | $164,220 | ** | ** | ** |
| 9 | Kansas profile | $72.44 | $150,670 | $110,490 | $168,730 | 40 | 0.03 | 1.22 |
| 10 | North Carolina profile | $71.07 | $147,830 | $124,970 | $176,360 | 140 | 0.03 | 1.28 |
| 11 | Maryland profile | $70.90 | $147,470 | $126,400 | $172,790 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.69 |
| 12 | Indiana profile | $69.39 | $144,320 | $129,770 | $198,080 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.90 |
| 13 | Oklahoma profile | $68.81 | $143,120 | $109,650 | $154,490 | 30 | 0.02 | 0.89 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania profile | $68.68 | $142,850 | $106,350 | $167,160 | 160 | 0.03 | 1.21 |
| 15 | Virginia profile | $68.67 | $142,830 | $99,340 | $184,990 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.99 |
| 16 | Wisconsin profile | $68.42 | $142,300 | $113,290 | $164,480 | 80 | 0.03 | 1.31 |
| 17 | Arizona profile | $68.31 | $142,090 | $106,540 | $173,440 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.62 |
| 18 | Massachusetts profile | $67.78 | $140,990 | $111,550 | $174,810 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.75 |
| 19 | South Carolina profile | $67.56 | $140,530 | $100,070 | $159,240 | 60 | 0.03 | 1.28 |
| 20 | California profile | $67.49 | $140,380 | $58,620 | $202,360 | 240 | 0.01 | 0.60 |
| 21 | Arkansas profile | $66.47 | $138,260 | $116,510 | $184,630 | 30 | 0.03 | 1.21 |
| 22 | Michigan profile | $66.33 | $137,970 | $117,320 | $157,910 | 130 | 0.03 | 1.33 |
| 23 | Tennessee profile | $65.16 | $135,530 | $68,340 | $163,100 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.88 |
| 24 | Texas profile | $64.75 | $134,680 | $118,960 | $174,880 | 330 | 0.02 | 1.08 |
| 25 | Missouri profile | $62.31 | $129,610 | $110,230 | $177,500 | 80 | 0.03 | 1.30 |
| 26 | Mississippi profile | $55.53 | $115,490 | $82,670 | $144,960 | 40 | 0.04 | 1.72 |
| 27 | West Virginia profile | $21.81 | $45,350 | $44,310 | $125,730 | 60 | 0.08 | 3.72 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (29-2030), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-2036 Medical Dosimetrists.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-2036, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-2036.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.