Radiation Therapists

Radiation Therapists score 28 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #549 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 22 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 10 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 2 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

28/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #549of 923 jobs
US workers: 17,070BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $105,310a year
In real AI use: 2 of 22tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (5%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 10 (45%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 11 (50%)

Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Help physicians, radiation oncologists, or clinical physicists to prepare physical or technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Photograph treated area of patient and process film.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Schedule patients for treatment times.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Provide assistance to other healthcare personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Educate, prepare, and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials, such as cobalt, radium, cesium, or isotopes, for use in radiation treatments.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about radiation therapists and AI

Will AI replace radiation therapists?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Radiation Therapists score 28 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #549 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 11 of the job's 22 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 11 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which radiation therapists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions".

Which radiation therapists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription"; "Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards"; "Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 22 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as radiation therapists, and what do they earn?

About 17,070 people in the US, with median pay of $105,310 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.