Radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons, and other doctors to coordinate the most appropriate care for people diagnosed with cancer. They use carefully targeted doses of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
of all medical specialists, radiation oncologists have some of the longest training programs; with four years in medical school, four years in residency, and one year of postgraduate training- that’s a total of nine years of schooling.
Therefore, by the time they gain certification and are licensed to practice, they’re eager to earn a competitive salary. Let’s find out what radiation oncologists’ salary is, their job prospects, the factors that influence their pay, and more.
Table of contents
What do Radiation oncologists do?
Radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons, and other physicians to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for cancer patients.
Before performing radiation procedures, radiation oncologists use software to carefully plan where they will irradiate their patients. They also decide what type of radiation therapy to use. The two main types are external radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy.
External radiation therapy
External radiation therapy comes from a source outside your body to the site of cancer. This is the most common type of radiation therapy, particularly for cancers of the head, breast, lung, colon, and prostate.
Internal radiotherapy
In internal radiation therapy, your radiation oncologist inserts a solid or liquid radiation source into your body. In brachytherapy, the radiation source is implanted in or near cancer. With systemic radiation, the liquid radiation source is taken through the mouth or through a vein.
How much does a Radiation Oncologist make?
The question of “How much do oncologists make?” It’s not a simple answer: Radiation oncologist salary can vary widely depending on geographical location, education, certifications, additional skills, years of practice, and other factors.
The Radiation Oncology salary in the US range from $42,993 to $400,000, with a median salary of $362,500.
- Trainee radiation oncologists (registrars) usually earn between $70,000 and $175,000 a year.
- Qualified radiation oncologists can earn between $175,000 and $216,000.
- Radiation oncologists working in the private sector earn more than this. Those at the top level can earn up to $600,000.
Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), ‘2013 to 2016 National DHB Collective Agreement (MECA)’, 2017.
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Factors that affect Radiation Oncology Salary
- Education: The match between your education and what’s normally required for your job usually affects your pay as a Radiation Oncologist. Beyond a degree, gaining certifications and memberships in the endodontist or other medical professional organizations can have a positive effect on pay.
- Years of experience: Typically, more experience results in higher pay – up to a point. Similarly, if an endodontist position calls for someone with 10 years of experience in a particular occupation, and you don’t meet those requirements, you may find yourself on the lower end of the pay scale.
- Number of reports: The more patients a Radiation Oncology attains, the higher the pay in certain healthcare environments.
Radiation Oncology Job Prospects
The Job projection growth rate for employment in the field of radiation therapy is 13 percent from 2016-2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s nearly double the average growth rate across all occupations.
Chances of getting a job as a radiation oncologist are good due to the growing demand for treatment by an aging population.
If you are aspiring to become Radiation oncology, here are steps you should follow:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree, particularly in a science-related field
- Take and pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
- Attend medical school and earn your MD or DO degree
- Complete a residency
- Fulfill a fellowship if you wish to specialize in a specific area
- Obtain the proper license and certification for the state you’ll be practicing in.
Below are the skills Radiation oncologists need to master:
- radiation treatments, and how these affect patients
- cancer and how to treat it
- anatomy and how the human body works
- different diseases and illnesses
- new research, treatments, and practices
- medical ethics and law.
If you do not meet the Radiation Oncology job requirements, you can apply for other job positions. See our articles on 15 Best High Paying Entry Level Jobs
FAQs on Radiation Oncology Salary
As of Jun 9, 2022, the average annual pay for a Radiation Oncologist in the United States is $308,399 a year.
Radiation oncologists are the doctors who will oversee your radiation therapy treatments.
The average hourly pay for a Radiation Oncologist Job is $148.27 in US
References
- https://www.mayoclinic.org
- https://www.salary.com
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com
- https://www.webmd.com
- https://www.careers.govt.nz
- https://www.healthgrades.com
- https://www.webmd.com
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