Radiologists earn a BLS median of $420,860 a year, making it one of the highest-paid specialties with a better lifestyle than most surgical fields.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for radiologists, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $89,010 | $42.79 |
| 25th | $216,800 | $104.23 |
| 50th (median) | $420,860 | $202.34 |
| 75th | $506,010 | $243.27 |
| 90th | $594,410 | $285.77 |
| Average (mean) | $381,530 | $183.43 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Radiologists (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Radiologist Salary in 2026
| Experience Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| New Attending (1-3 years) | $350,000-$400,000 |
| Mid-Career (5-10 years) | $420,000-$480,000 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | $480,000-$550,000 |
| National Average (BLS mean) | $381,530 |
Radiologist Salary by Subspecialty
| Subspecialty | Average Salary | Fellowship |
|---|---|---|
| Interventional Radiology | $520,000 | 2 years |
| Neuroradiology | $450,000 | 1-2 years |
| Nuclear Medicine | $430,000 | 1 year |
| Body/Abdominal Imaging | $420,000 | 1 year |
| Breast Imaging | $410,000 | 1 year |
| Musculoskeletal Radiology | $415,000 | 1 year |
| Pediatric Radiology | $390,000 | 1 year |
| Emergency Radiology | $400,000 | 1 year |
| General Diagnostic | $395,000 | — |
Interventional radiology is the highest-paid subspecialty due to procedural work.
Radiologist Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $556,170 | $207,050 | $553,140 |
| 2 | South Dakota | $534,640 | $233,620 | $586,010 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $527,740 | $81,490 | $708,340 |
| 4 | Arizona | $478,540 | $79,470 | $470,640 |
| 5 | Maine | $448,540 | $135,080 | $555,750 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $447,500 | $78,360 | $506,010 |
| 7 | Florida | $434,010 | $192,020 | $417,690 |
| 8 | Maryland | $428,880 | $99,470 | $581,510 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $418,720 | $100,040 | $455,380 |
| 10 | Georgia | $416,100 | $164,670 | $335,190 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $391,790 | $113,600 | $426,560 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $390,970 | $65,010 | $471,650 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $381,720 | $126,160 | $392,610 |
| 14 | Virginia | $380,580 | $117,530 | $376,270 |
| 15 | Utah | $378,420 | $165,740 | $417,250 |
| 16 | Michigan | $376,210 | $82,250 | $485,920 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $374,880 | $84,210 | $482,700 |
| 18 | Indiana | $360,390 | $79,520 | $430,640 |
| 19 | Iowa | $344,000 | $84,500 | $405,220 |
| 20 | Colorado | $343,570 | $129,370 | $344,270 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $338,210 | $82,650 | $279,990 |
| 22 | New York | $336,460 | $81,760 | $441,580 |
| 23 | Nevada | $334,320 | $102,420 | $386,210 |
| 24 | Montana | $319,460 | $112,380 | $360,330 |
| 25 | California | $309,990 | $96,610 | $270,560 |
| 26 | Texas | $292,220 | $77,270 | $319,320 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $268,900 | $110,760 | $182,450 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $266,420 | $97,240 | $161,750 |
| 29 | Ohio | $264,470 | $69,210 | $260,000 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $232,030 | $53,890 | $174,480 |
| 31 | Connecticut | $227,700 | $86,930 | $191,990 |
| 32 | Kansas | $199,480 | $179,990 | $179,990 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $140,990 | $63,800 | $75,600 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $127,900 | $66,580 | $96,170 |
| — | National | $381,530 | $89,010 | $420,860 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Radiologists (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate. Rural areas and underserved regions pay significant premiums.
Radiologist Salary by Practice Setting
| Practice Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Private Practice (Partner) | Highest earning potential |
| Teleradiology | Remote work, flexible |
| Hospital-Employed | Stable, benefits |
| Academic | Teaching, research |
| Locum Tenens | Per diem work |
| Outpatient Center | Good lifestyle |
Radiologist vs. Radiology Technologist
| Factor | Radiologist (MD) | Rad Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary (BLS, May 2025) | $381,530 | $83,840 |
| Education | 13+ years | 2-4 years |
| Student Debt | $250,000-$400,000 | $20,000-$50,000 |
| Role | Interpret images, diagnose | Perform imaging |
| Start Earning | Age 31+ | Age 20-24 |
Path to Becoming a Radiologist
| Stage | Duration | Cost/Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Radiology residency | 5 years | $65,000-$90,000/year |
| Fellowship (optional) | 1-2 years | $80,000-$100,000/year |
| Total Training | 13-15 years | — |
Radiologist Work-Life Balance
| Factor | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Hours per week | 45-55 |
| Night call | 2-6 nights/month |
| Weekend call | 1-2 weekends/month |
| Vacation weeks | 5-8 |
| Remote work | Increasing (teleradiology) |
Radiology offers one of the best lifestyles among high-paying specialties.
Teleradiology Growth
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Market size (2026) | $8+ billion |
| Growth rate | 8-4% annually |
| Remote work opportunities | Expanding rapidly |
| Overnight reads | High demand |
| International competition | Growing (but credentialing barriers) |
Teleradiology enables radiologists to work from home and set flexible schedules.
Radiologist Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $85,634 | $17,864 | $246,502 | $20,542 |
| $381,530 | $96,670 | $18,605 | $266,255 | $22,188 |
| $550,000 | $155,634 | $22,564 | $371,802 | $30,983 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
AI Impact on Radiology
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| AI replacing radiologists? | No — augmenting, not replacing |
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 4% |
| AI-assisted reading | Becoming standard |
| Skills in demand | Complex interpretation, procedures |
AI is expected to handle routine reads, allowing radiologists to focus on complex cases.
Career Earnings Comparison
| Career Path | Training Debt | 30-Year Earnings | Net Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Radiology | -$300,000 | $10.5M | ~$10M |
| Hospital-Employed | -$300,000 | $13.5M | ~$13M |
| Private Practice | -$300,000 | $16.5M | ~$16M |
| Teleradiology | -$300,000 | $15M | ~$15M |
Tips for Maximizing Income
- Interventional fellowship — Highest-paid subspecialty
- Teleradiology side gigs — Overnight reads pay premium
- Rural practice — 15-25% pay premiums
- Partnership track — Private groups pay highest
- Negotiate RVU bonuses — Productivity can add $50k-$100k
Related Articles
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medscape Physician Compensation Report, MGMA, ACR. Updated March 2026.
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
- Social Security Administration. “Benefits and Eligibility Information.” ssa.gov/benefits
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