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Radiation Oncologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Radiation Oncologist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Radiation Oncologist in the United States is $515,020 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $248.

However, a Radiation Oncologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $618,050
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $484,140 to $568,950
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $456,025
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Radiation Oncologist Salaries

A Radiation Oncologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Radiation Oncologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Radiation Oncologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $502,576
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $504,880
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $516,630
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $539,168
  • Expert (over 8 years): $543,192
Levels Salary
Entry Level Radiation Oncologist$502,576
Intermediate Level Radiation Oncologist$504,880
Senior Level Radiation Oncologist$516,630
Specialist Level Radiation Oncologist$539,168
Expert Level Radiation Oncologist$543,192
View as Graph

How Do Radiation Oncologist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Radiation Oncologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $570,230.
  • California: $568,070.
  • Massachusetts: $560,500.

Top Paying Cities for Radiation Oncologists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $649,590
  • San Francisco: $642,480
  • Oakland: $628,940

What Skills Can Increase a Radiation Oncologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.02% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Acute Care (Mentioned in 4.3% Job Postings): Acute care is a branch of secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery. In medical terms, care for acute health conditions is the opposite from chronic care, or longer term care. Acute care services are generally delivered by teams of health care professionals from a range of medical and surgical specialties. Acute care may require a stay in a hospital emergency department, ambulatory surgery center, urgent care centre or other short-term stay facility, along with the assistance of diagnostic services, surgery, or follow-up outpatient care in the community. Hospital-based acute inpatient care typically has the goal of discharging patients as soon as they are deemed healthy and stable. Acute care settings include emergency department, intensive care, coronary care, cardiology, neonatal intensive care, and many general areas where the patient could become acutely unwell and require stabilization and transfer to another higher dependency unit for further treatment.
  • Medical Education (Mentioned in 2.96% Job Postings): Medical education is a course of study directed toward imparting knowledge and skills required for the prevention and treatment of diseases to persons seeking to become physicians.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.02%
Acute Care 4.3%
Medical Education 2.96%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Radiation Oncologist's salary.

  • Interpersonal Relationships: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Acute Care: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Hematology: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interpersonal Relationships $638,625
24%
Acute Care $571,672
11%
Hematology $566,522
10%
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Radiation Oncologist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Radiation Oncologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $546,637. While startup companies pay approximate $465,511.

Radiation Oncologist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $465,511
Growth Stage 51~500 $491,522
Established 501~5000 $528,641
Enterprise 5000+ $546,637

Radiation Oncologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Radiation Oncologist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Radiation Oncologist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Radiation Oncologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Radiation Oncologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$618,024$297.020%

How Education impacts a Radiation Oncologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Radiation Oncologists enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Radiation Oncologist with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $445,952 and $482,594).

Radiation Oncologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Radiation Oncologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.1%
High School 14.3%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 7.1%
Masters 7.1%
Doctorate 64.3%
View as Graph

Radiation Oncologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Radiation Oncologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$484,140
Average $515,020/year
$568,950
$40,345
Average $42,918/month
$47,413
$9,310
Average $9,904/week
$10,941
$233
Average $248/hour
$274
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $568,950 $47,413 $10,941 $274
Average $515,020 $42,918 $9,904 $248
25th Percentile $484,140 $40,345 $9,310 $233

Most common benefits for Radiation Oncologist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Radiation Oncologist

Here are companies hiring for Radiation Oncologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Radiation Oncologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Radiation Oncologist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Radiation Oncologist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Which type of oncologist gets paid the most?

Radiation Oncologists are among the highest-paid specialists, with salaries ranging from $400,960 to $534,260 per year. This places them at the top compared to other oncologists, such as Mohs Surgeons and Hematologist Oncologists, whose salaries typically do not exceed $400,000.

3. How long is radiation oncology residency?

The Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program is a four-year (48-month) training program, accredited by the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education). Upon completion, Radiation Oncologists can expect salaries ranging from a minimum of $400,960 to a maximum of $534,260, with a mid-range salary of approximately $465,310.

4. Do radiation oncologists go to med school?

Yes, radiation oncologists do attend medical school. After completing their medical degree, they undergo a one-year internship, typically in internal medicine or surgery. Their salary ranges from a minimum of $400,960 to a maximum of $534,260, with a mid-salary of $465,310, reflecting their specialized training and expertise in the field.

5. Where are radiation oncologists paid the most?

Radiation oncologists have a salary range that typically starts at $400,960, with a mid-level salary of $465,310, and can go up to $534,260. While some states like California and Minnesota offer salaries around $360,000, the overall compensation for radiation oncologists is significantly higher, reflecting their specialized skills and expertise.

6. How many years does it take to become a Radiation Oncologist?

To become a Radiation Oncologist, it typically takes a total of 13 years: four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of general medical training, and four years of residency in radiation oncology. This extensive training prepares them for a rewarding career, with salaries ranging from $400,960 to $534,260, depending on experience and location.

7. Is radiation oncology hard to get into?

Radiation oncology is a competitive specialty, requiring strong academic performance, research experience, and a commitment to oncology. The financial rewards are significant, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $400,960 to a mid-level of $465,310, and a maximum of $534,260, reflecting the high demand and expertise in this field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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