How to Become a Medical Dosimetrist in California: Salary & Requirements (2026)

Updated July 23, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

California medical dosimetrists earn a median annual wage of $140,380 ($67.49/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 240 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -4.8% below the national median of $147,470 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $140,380 ($67.49/hr)
25th percentile: $134,540 per year
75th percentile: $172,060 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $202,360 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $58,620 per year
Workers employed in California: 240
Versus national median: -4.8% below the U.S. median of $147,470
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.60 - this occupation is less concentrated in California than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed July 23, 2026.

Quick answer: The median medical dosimetrist salary in California is $140,380 per year - 5% below the national median of $147,470 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s degree + JRCERT-accredited medical dosimetry program.

How to Become a Medical Dosimetrist in California

1. Start in radiologic technology or radiation therapy

Most dosimetrists come up through imaging or therapy roles - the standard feeder path.

2. Earn the bachelor’s degree

Any major works with clinical experience; health science is most direct.

3. Complete a JRCERT dosimetry program

12-24 month accredited programs, several offered in hybrid/online formats for working therapists.

4. Pass the MDCB exam

The Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) credential is the hiring standard.

5. Advance

Senior dosimetrist, chief dosimetrist, or medical physics graduate tracks.

Requirements in California

The education path is national - Bachelor’s degree + JRCERT-accredited medical dosimetry program. MDCB certification (CMD) is the industry standard; some states license. Confirm current California rules before you enroll, as details change. Do not assume a statewide occupational license exists.

Medical Dosimetrist Salary in California

Wage level	Annual salary
California entry level (10th percentile)	$58,620
California 25th-75th percentile	$134,540 - $172,060
California median	$140,380
California top earners (90th percentile)	$202,360
U.S. median	$147,470

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 240.

The California Job Market: Medical Dosimetrist

Metric	Value
Employed in California	240
Jobs per 1,000 in the state	0.01
Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient)	0.60
Mean annual wage in California	$146,350

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 0.60, California employs medical dosimetrists at a lower concentration than the national average; expect fewer openings per capita and weigh relocation or remote-friendly specialties.

Salary Nationwide

Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Medical Dosimetrists

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025

Medical Dosimetrists annual wage percentiles
Percentile	Annual wage
10th	$111,670
25th	$132,080
50th (median)	$147,470
75th	$167,030
90th	$185,450

Job Outlook

Projected employment growth, United States, Medical Dosimetrists, 2024-2034

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034

Medical Dosimetrists employment projection 2024 to 2034
Year	Employment
2024	4,800
2034 projected	4,900
Percent change	+3.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a medical dosimetrist make in California?

The median annual wage for medical dosimetrists in California is $140,380 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 5% below the national median of $147,470.

How to become a medical dosimetrist in California?

The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's degree + JRCERT-accredited medical dosimetry program. MDCB certification (CMD) is the industry standard; some states license. Confirm current California rules; this occupation is not licensed in every state. See the steps on this page.

How many medical dosimetrists work in California?

BLS counts about 240 medical dosimetrists employed in California (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Medical Dosimetrist in Nearby States

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Medical Dosimetrists (SOC 29-2036), California and national
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)