Is Radiation Oncology a Good Career in 2026?

Treating cancer with precisely targeted radiation therapy.

Based on BLS employment data and national physician surveys

Radiation Oncology Compensation & Earnings

Take-Home Pay by State

How much a Radiation Oncology physician actually keeps after federal, state, and FICA taxes

Highest Take-Home States

1
Alaska
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
2
Florida
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
3
Nevada
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
4
New Hampshire
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr
5
South Dakota
Gross: $300,000 · 28.7% tax
$214,033
+$27,600/yr

Lowest Take-Home States

47
California
Gross: $300,000 · 37.9% tax
$186,433
−$27,600/yr
48
Oregon
Gross: $300,000 · 37.7% tax
$187,033
−$27,000/yr
49
District of Columbia
Gross: $300,000 · 37.6% tax
$187,333
−$26,700/yr
50
Hawaii
Gross: $300,000 · 37.5% tax
$187,633
−$26,400/yr
51
Minnesota
Gross: $300,000 · 36.9% tax
$189,433
−$24,600/yr

Tax impact: A Radiation Oncology physician keeps $27,600 more per year in Alaska vs. California — a 9.2% difference on gross income of $300,000.

Calculate your exact take-home pay →Need physician-specific tax planning? Talk to Doc Wealth

Assumes single filer, standard deduction, W-2 employment. State rates from Tax Foundation 2025. Gross salaries from BLS OEWS May 2024. FICA includes Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600) and Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% above $200K). Actual take-home varies with deductions, filing status, and local taxes.

Career Lifestyle

Is Radiation Oncology Worth It? →
Detailed ROI analysis, satisfaction deep-dive, and physician perspectives

Job Market & Future Outlook

How Hard Is It to Match Into Radiation Oncology?

Low CompetitivenessSource: NRMP 2024 Charting Outcomes

Radiation Oncology is relatively accessible with a 97.5% match rate for U.S. MD seniors. There were 0.60 applicants per position (122 applicants for 203 spots). Matched applicants had significantly higher Step 2 CK scores (252 vs 242).

97.5%
Match Rate
0.60:1
Applicant Ratio
252
Avg Step 2 CK
203
Positions
122
Applicants

Match Rate by Step 2 CK Score

231-240
94%
241-250
96%
251-260
100%
>260
100%

What Differentiates Matched Applicants

MetricMatchedUnmatched
Step 2 CK252242
Research Experiences4.22.0
Publications1614
AOA Members16%0%
Programs Ranked161

Data from Charting Outcomes in the Match, National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), 2024. U.S. MD seniors. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Training & Getting Started

4 years of post-medical-school training, with subspecialty fellowship options

Subspecialty Fellowships

BrachytherapyProton TherapyPediatric Radiation OncologyPalliative Radiation

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Explore Radiation Oncology

Full Salary Data
Percentiles, trends, comparisons
Is It Worth It?
ROI analysis and satisfaction deep-dive
Practice Settings
Academic vs private vs employed
Salary Trends
Historical compensation changes
Best Cities
Top cities by salary and lifestyle
Salary Explorer
Compare all specialties side by side

Take the Next Step in Your Radiation Oncology Career

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Powered by SalaryDr Career Intelligence

Data sources: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (May 2024) • BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Career Score methodology: salarydr.com/methodology

According to SalaryDr Career Intelligence data (as of March 2026), Radiation Oncology is a medical specialty. Median total compensation is $0.