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Radiation Therapists vs Respiratory Therapists: what changes?

Consider Radiation Therapists if you want to provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Consider Respiratory Therapists if you would rather assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Both list associate's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Radiation Therapists and Respiratory Therapists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Radiation Therapists

National median pay (2025)
$105,310
Route into the job
Associate's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
700
Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (17,400 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Radiation Therapists brief

Respiratory Therapists

National median pay (2025)
$82,280
Route into the job
Associate's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
8,600
Know before you choose

Exposure to illness or infection is a recurring part of the work context, even when safety procedures are followed.

See the full Respiratory Therapists brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on annual openings

Respiratory Therapists is at 8,600 annual openings, compared with 700 annual openings for Radiation Therapists.

2

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on projected growth

Respiratory Therapists is at 8.5% projected growth, compared with 2.8% projected growth for Radiation Therapists.

3

Radiation Therapists has the edge on median pay

Radiation Therapists is at $105,310, compared with $82,280 for Respiratory Therapists.

49.4/ 100

Radiation Therapists

vs
70.5/ 100

Respiratory Therapists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Radiation Therapists vs Respiratory Therapists

DimensionRadiation TherapistsRespiratory Therapists
Median pay (2025)$105,310$82,280
Pay percentile86 percentile74.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)2.8%8.5%
Annual openings (2025–2035)7008,600
2025 employment17,400142,000
How you qualifyAssociate's degreeAssociate's degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 3Job Zone 3
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Radiation Therapists briefRead Respiratory Therapists brief

Try another comparison

Radiation Therapists vs Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Radiation Therapists
$105,310 · 2.8% growth
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
$74,310 · 3.7% growth
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Radiation Therapists vs Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Radiation Therapists
$105,310 · 2.8% growth
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
$101,370 · 4.4% growth
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Respiratory Therapists vs Dental Hygienist

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Respiratory Therapists
$82,280 · 8.5% growth
Dental Hygienist
$98,100 · 8% growth
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Respiratory Therapists vs Radiologic Technologist

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Respiratory Therapists
$82,280 · 8.5% growth
Radiologic Technologist
$80,110 · 5% growth
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ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.