Medical Dosimetrists in Illinois
Considering working as a Medical Dosimetrists in Illinois? Here’s what the data says. Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.
What do Medical Dosimetrists Make in Illinois?
For medical dosimetrists working in Illinois, wages run about $140,780 per year (or roughly $67.68/hour).Earnings range from $104,290 at the 10th percentile to $168,670 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $104,290 | $50.14 |
| 25th percentile | $123,820 | $59.53 |
| Median (50th) | $140,780 | $67.68 |
| 75th percentile | $156,530 | $75.26 |
| 90th percentile | $168,670 | $81.09 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Illinois compared to the national average — is 0.66, indicating fewer medical dosimetrists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, medical dosimetrists earn a median of $38,128 per year ($18.33/hour), above the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 2,813,712 medical dosimetrists in the U.S.. In Illinois alone, approximately 100 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 70 medical dosimetrists.
Top Illinois Metros for Medical Dosimetrists
These are the Illinois metros with the most medical dosimetrists in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 70 | $150,870 |
Top States for Medical Dosimetrists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most medical dosimetrists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 430 |
| Florida | 370 |
| New York | 350 |
| Pennsylvania | 290 |
| Michigan | 200 |
| California | 190 |
| Georgia | 130 |
| North Carolina | 130 |
| Virginia | 110 |
| Illinois | 100 |
| Wisconsin | 100 |
| New Jersey | 100 |
| Tennessee | 100 |
| Washington | 70 |
| Massachusetts | 70 |
| Mississippi | 70 |
| South Carolina | 60 |
| Oregon | 50 |
| Kentucky | 50 |
| Arizona | 50 |
Highest-Paying States for Medical Dosimetrists
The highest-paying states for medical dosimetrists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $179,640 |
| Oregon | $170,220 |
| New Jersey | $165,100 |
| New York | $160,850 |
| Georgia | $159,790 |
| Connecticut | $153,650 |
| Colorado | $151,290 |
| California | $149,080 |
| Virginia | $146,960 |
| South Carolina | $145,380 |
Skills
Key medical dosimetrists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for medical dosimetrists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, medical dosimetrists typically:
- Design the arrangement of radiation fields to reduce exposure to critical patient structures, such as organs, using computers, manuals, and guides.
- Plan the use of beam modifying devices, such as compensators, shields, and wedge filters, to ensure safe and effective delivery of radiation treatment.
- Identify and outline bodily structures, using imaging procedures, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography.
- Calculate the delivery of radiation treatment, such as the amount or extent of radiation per session, based on the prescribed course of radiation therapy.
- Calculate, or verify calculations of, prescribed radiation doses.
- Develop radiation treatment plans in consultation with members of the radiation oncology team.
- Supervise or perform simulations for tumor localizations, using imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography scans.
- Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for treatment delivery, using image-guided radiation therapy.
- Record patient information, such as radiation doses administered, in patient records.
- Advise oncology team members on use of beam modifying or immobilization devices in radiation treatment plans.
- Fabricate beam modifying devices, such as compensators, shields, and wedge filters.
- Perform quality assurance system checks, such as calibrations, on treatment planning computers.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Processing Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Thinking Creatively
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Eclipse IDE In-demand technologies: Eclipse IDE
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Allied Health Professions
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Related Careers
Related occupations to medical dosimetrists include:
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Radiation Therapists
- Respiratory Therapists
- Nurse Anesthetists
Also Known As
CMD (Certified Medical Dosimetrist), Dosimetrist, Medical Dosimetrist, Medical Physicist, Medical Radiation Dosimetrist, Radiation Dosimetrist, Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist, Radiation Therapy Dosimetrist (RT Dosimetrist).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2036.00