For role-by-role compensation benchmarking and career income strategy, see the Profession Salary Guides hub.
For conversion formulas, overtime scenarios, and annual-pay planning, see the Hourly to Annual hub.
Radiologists earn $350,000-$550,000+ per year, making it one of the highest-paid specialties with a better lifestyle than most surgical fields.
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 | $427,000 |
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
| State | Average Salary | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $510,000 | +19% |
| Wyoming | $500,000 | +17% |
| Nebraska | $495,000 | +16% |
| Kentucky | $485,000 | +14% |
| Oklahoma | $480,000 | +12% |
| Indiana | $470,000 | +10% |
| Tennessee | $460,000 | +8% |
| Texas | $445,000 | +4% |
| Florida | $430,000 | +1% |
| California | $420,000 | -2% |
| New York | $410,000 | -4% |
| Massachusetts | $400,000 | -6% |
Rural areas and underserved regions pay significant premiums.
Radiologist Salary by Practice Setting
| Practice Type | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private Practice (Partner) | $500,000-$650,000 | Highest earning potential |
| Teleradiology | $400,000-$550,000 | Remote work, flexible |
| Hospital-Employed | $380,000-$480,000 | Stable, benefits |
| Academic | $300,000-$400,000 | Teaching, research |
| Locum Tenens | $450,000-$600,000 | Per diem work |
| Outpatient Center | $420,000-$500,000 | Good lifestyle |
Radiologist vs. Radiology Technologist
| Factor | Radiologist (MD) | Rad Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $427,000 | $68,000 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 4 years | $50,000-$200,000 debt |
| Medical school | 4 years | $200,000-$350,000 debt |
| Radiology residency | 5 years | $65,000-$90,000/year |
| Fellowship (optional) | 1-2 years | $80,000-$100,000/year |
| Total Training | 13-15 years | — |
| Average Debt | — | $280,000-$380,000 |
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 | 8-10% 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 Tax | FICA | State Tax (5%) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $84,000 | $11,773 | $17,500 | $236,727 |
| $427,000 | $109,000 | $11,773 | $21,350 | $284,877 |
| $550,000 | $156,000 | $11,773 | $27,500 | $354,727 |
AI Impact on Radiology
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| AI replacing radiologists? | No — augmenting, not replacing |
| Job growth (2024-2034) | +4% (stable) |
| 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.
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
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy