Medical Dosimetrists
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Designs how radiation fields are arranged so tumors get the planned dose and nearby organs get as little as possible. Uses computers, manuals, and imaging from x-ray, CT, MRI, or PET scans to outline structures, then calculates or checks the dose for each session. Plans devices such as shields, compensators, and wedge filters, runs or oversees localization simulations, and prepares reference images for treatment. Works with the radiation oncology team throughout. Suits people who like precise math, careful planning from images, and solving complex technical problems with a treatment team.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$147'470
Median Wage Market Position
$147'470
What you might do
- Design radiation fields that spare nearby organs
- Calculate how much radiation each session delivers
- Outline tumors and organs on medical scans
- Set up shields, wedges, and other beam filters
- Run imaging simulations to pinpoint tumor location
- Work out treatment plans with the oncology team
Skills that matter
- Field arrangements that spare critical organs
- Calculating dose for each treatment session
- Planning shields, wedges, and compensators
- Outlining tumors and organs on CT or MRI
- Consulting with the radiation oncology team
- Independent checks of prescribed doses
AI & the future of this role
Treatment planning and dose calculation sit close to what advanced software already does well, so AI could absorb more of the routine computational load. Clinical collaboration, plan verification under liability rules, and complex case judgment still matter, though the balance of tasks may shift.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details