Radiation therapist vacancy rates on the decline, new data reveal
New data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists indicate that radiation therapy staffing shortages might be on the mend.
According to ASRT’s most recent Radiation Therapy Workplace and Staffing survey, vacancy rates for both therapists and dosimetrists decreased over the last year. This is encouraging news for the workforce, as RT vacancy rates have been on the rise since 2018.
Melissa Culp, executive VP of member engagement, believes these numbers suggest efforts to promote the specialty are beginning to pay off.
"ASRT is leading action to address workforce shortages through work groups ... which [encourage] students to enter the professional pipeline," Culp said in a news release on the data.
Between 2025 and 2026, radiation therapy vacancy rates dropped from 13.6% to 11.4%, while dosimetrist openings declined from 9.6% to 6.8%. While the difference might not seem significant, when compared to previous years, the decreases suggest that the RT workforce might be stabilizing; the 2024 vacancy rate of 13.6% was nearly four times higher than it was in 2018.
In terms of longitudinal changes, the average number of full-time equivalent radiation therapist vacancies at each participating facility decreased slightly from 8.3 in 2024 to 8.1. In comparison, there were 6 FTE radiation therapy positions in 2004.
The survey collection period ended in March. It garnered responses from 560 eligible participants, for a response rate of 2.4%. ASRT noted that the participation rate carries a margin of error of ± 4.1% for overall percentages at the 95% confidence level.
Data collected over the last several years can be found here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.