Radiology is an integral part of healthcare that guides diagnosis and treatment using advanced imaging technologies to visualize organs, tissues and systems of the body. As such, however, their compensation is indicative of the specialized skills and expertise associated with the profession.
This article explores the salary environment for radiologists, including regional factors that affect pay and differentiating between subspecialties.
Overview of Radiologist Salaries
USA average annual salary of the radiologists reaches $468,390 in January 2025. Salaries normally vary from $407,290 to $541,890, with the bulk of them running with $351,662 to $608,808.
Over the same time period, a report by Medscape showed radiologist salaries were about $498,000 in 2024, up modestly from years before. These numbers put radiologists near the top of the medical specialty pay scale.
Factors Influencing Radiologist Salaries
1. Experience
A radiologist income largely depend on experience. Radiologists begin earning as soon as they reach the entry-level, often at a residency salary level of approximately $67,400 per year.
Salaries grow substantially as they gain experience and finish their training. So for example, you will see that experienced people would be offered much higher than the average salary due to their level of experience and recognition.
2. Geographical Location
Geography impacts the salaries quite a bit. Higher living costs in urban areas generally provide for higher compensation than rural portions of the state.
This obligation to match, for example, is the reason states like New York and Pennsylvania show higher salaries because of demand and overall cost of living. By contrast, states such as Arkansas have below-average salaries for radiologists.
3. Subspecialization
Those who specialize in fields like neuroradiology or interventional radiology also tend to make more than average given the high level of skills required in these fields.
Specialized imaging services are witnessing huge demand which translates in to better income for professionals segment with niche skills.
4. Type of Healthcare Facility
Another factor that impacts salary is what kind of institution a radiologist is working for. Generally, employees at academic hospitals or larger medical centers have a higher salary than in smaller community clinics or outpatient centers.
Academic-affiliated institutions are so often involved also in research or academia which can also augment compensation for clinical work.
5. Workload and Hours
Earnings can also depend on the number of hours worked. Radiologists in emergency departments or who pick up extra shifts are likely to have a boost in income due to the increased patient volume and urgent cases. This leads to enormous fluctuations in yearly income depending on how much one chooses to work.
Salary of radiologists compare to other medical specialties
Radiologists are the highest paid physicians in the U.S. with an average annual income of around $503,564 in 2022, according to Doximity’s annual Physician Compensation Report.
This ranks them in the top 10 medical specialties in income, which is appropriate testament to the vital role advanced imaging is playing in healthcare. A comprehensive look into radiologist salaries compared to all other specialties in medicine.
Comparison of Radiologist Salaries with Other Medical Specialties
Top Earning Specialties
Surgeons wear the crown in the highest ranks for what specialists make and radiologists land in the only spot in the top 10 for overall medical specialties. A table with the average salaries of specialtiesis as follows :
| Specialty | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Neurosurgery | $798,532 |
| Thoracic Surgery | $802,675 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $624,043 |
| Plastic Surgery | $571,373 |
| Vascular Surgery | $557,632 |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | $556,642 |
| Radiation Oncology | $547,026 |
| Cardiology | $544,201 |
| Urology | $505,745 |
| Radiology | $503,564 |
The highest average salary is for neurosurgeons ($788,313), followed by thoracic and orthopedic surgeons. Radiologists make a bit less than cardiologists and urologists but much more than many other specialties.
Comparison with Lower-Paid Specialties
Radiology is not the only specialty with more was to earn, but many specialty report far lower mean compensation than this. For example:
- Pediatric Endocrinology: $218,266
- Pediatrics: $243,253
- Family Medicine: $261,536
- Preventive Medicine: $234,587
All the numbers above reflect a significant income gap between radiologists and primary care or pediatric specialists.
Entry-Level Salaries
While radiologists do earn some of the highest salaries in the medical field, their entry-level pay is also among the best in the wider world of new graduates. As an example, residents entering radiology may start their careers at a salary that exceeds that of, say, a family medicine practitioner or a pediatrician.
But according to the reports, entry-level radiologists take home approximately $401,000, he says, far exceeding entry-level salaries in many other specialties, where starting salaries are often below the $300,000 mark.
Salary Growth Trends
The radiologist salary has increased steadily every year for the most recent few years — $495,451 to $503,564 — while different strengths have fluctuated. Emergency medicine rose 6.2%, significant given the on-demand nature of services in that field. By contrast, compensation across all physician specialties has failed to rise with inflation and ledger real income levels for every income brackets.
Gender Pay Gap
Women’s issues in radiology: The gender pay gap endures (salaries 2018) — Radiology Business On average, male physicians earned close to $110,000 more than female practitioners. This gap is an important consideration that still influences the compensation landscape for health provider groups.
Radiologist Salaries in Major US Cities
| City | State | Average Annual Salary | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | NY | $341,000 | $270,000 – $425,000 |
| San Francisco | CA | $375,000 | $290,000 – $450,000 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $353,000 | $280,000 – $435,000 |
| Chicago | IL | $312,000 | $250,000 – $390,000 |
| Houston | TX | $298,000 | $235,000 – $370,000 |
| Boston | MA | $362,000 | $285,000 – $440,000 |
| Miami | FL | $305,000 | $240,000 – $380,000 |
| Seattle | WA | $335,000 | $265,000 – $410,000 |
| Atlanta | GA | $292,000 | $230,000 – $360,000 |
| Dallas | TX | $303,000 | $240,000 – $375,000 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $318,000 | $255,000 – $395,000 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $285,000 | $225,000 – $350,000 |
| Denver | CO | $308,000 | $245,000 – $380,000 |
| Washington D.C. | DC | $345,000 | $275,000 – $425,000 |
| San Diego | CA | $338,000 | $270,000 – $415,000 |
Note: Salaries are based on recent market data and can vary by experience, specialization, and specific employer.
Radiologist Salaries in Major Countries
| Country | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Salary Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $340,000 | $250,000 – $450,000 |
| Switzerland | $360,000 | $300,000 – $420,000 |
| Australia | $285,000 | $220,000 – $350,000 |
| Canada | $325,000 | $250,000 – $400,000 |
| United Kingdom | $190,000 | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Germany | $220,000 | $180,000 – $280,000 |
| Japan | $200,000 | $160,000 – $250,000 |
| Singapore | $250,000 | $200,000 – $300,000 |
| United Arab Emirates | $275,000 | $220,000 – $330,000 |
| Netherlands | $210,000 | $180,000 – $260,000 |
| France | $190,000 | $150,000 – $240,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | $230,000 | $190,000 – $280,000 |
Note: Salaries converted to USD, may vary by specialization and experience.
Salary Trends and Future Outlook
The salary outlook for radiologists remains positive as demand for medical imaging continues to rise. Factors such as technological advancements—particularly the integration of artificial intelligence—are expected to enhance efficiency in image interpretation and increase patient throughput, potentially leading to higher wages.
Additionally, as healthcare evolves with personalized medicine approaches, the need for specialized imaging services will likely continue to drive salary growth.
In summary, while radiologists enjoy lucrative salaries that reflect their vital role in healthcare, several factors influence their earnings significantly.
Experience, location, subspecialization, type of facility, and workload all play crucial roles in determining how much a radiologist can earn throughout their career.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, so too will the opportunities and compensation available to these essential medical professionals.
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