Average Salary for a Radiologist in the USA 2025: Pay by Experience Levels, Top States & How to Earn More

In 2025, the salary for a Radiologist plays a big role in career choices for medical professionals. Radiologists are doctors who look at medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to find diseases and help other doctors treat patients. They work in hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers across the country.

These doctors need many years of training after medical school to become experts in reading medical pictures.

The job market for radiologists is strong in 2025. Many hospitals need more radiologists because more people need medical imaging tests. This high demand means good pay for qualified doctors. Radiologists can work in different areas, like brain imaging, heart imaging, or cancer detection. Each area may pay differently based on how much training is needed.

This blog will help you learn about radiologist pay in 2025.

We will look at how much money radiologists make in different states. You will learn how experience changes your pay. We will also share tips to earn more money as a radiologist. Common questions about radiologist salaries will be answered, too. Knowing your worth as a radiologist helps you make smart career choices and ask for fair pay.

Average Salary for a Radiologist in the USA?

$420,000 per year (Average)

According to global salary surveys and government data, the average salary for radiologists in 2025 is between $344,970 and $528,000 per year.

Different salary platforms show varying figures. ZipRecruiter lists the annual salary at $344,970. In contrast, Salary.com reports it as $453,190. Meanwhile, diagnostic radiologists have a median salary of $528,013. We calculated the $420,000 average by combining data from Indeed, PayScale, ZipRecruiter, and Salary.com surveys.

Compared to 2024, radiologist salaries have grown by about 3-5% this year. This rise is due to more people wanting medical imaging services. At the same time, fewer new radiologists are joining the field.

Salary for a Radiologist Key Metrics 2025

Average salary: Radiologists in the USA typically earn between $344,970 and $453,190 annually. Many salary surveys show that the average salary is $370,189.

Salary range: Radiologists earn between $50,000 and $511,841. The lowest 10% make $50,000, while top earners reach $511,841. Most radiologists earn between $320,000 and $400,000.

Salary by experience: According to government statistics and job market data,

• Entry-level radiologists with less than 3 years earn $115,270.
• Mid-level radiologists, with 4-9 years, make $304,700.
• Senior radiologists, having 10-20 years of experience, earn $367,600.
• Radiologists with over 20 years of experience earn $402,800 annually.

75th percentile: Many U.S. data sources show that 75% of radiologists earn up to $400,000 per year, while diagnostic radiologists in the 75th percentile make $582,233.

Salary for a Radiologist: Regional Comparison

Location greatly affects radiologist salaries across the United States. Cost of living, hospital demand, and state regulations all change how much radiologists earn. Big cities often pay more but cost more to live in. Rural areas may offer signing bonuses to attract doctors.

Here's how salaries compare across major U.S. regions:

State/Region	Average Salary	Difference vs National Average
California	$499,890	+19% above average
Massachusetts	$493,190	+17% above average
New York	$525,190	+25% above average
Washington	High-paying state	Above average

Data collected from several global salary surveys and government statistics, 2025

Washington offers the highest-paying radiologist jobs, while Florida provides the lowest pay. California and New York offer great salaries but have high living costs. For the best value, consider states like Texas or North Carolina, where salaries are good and living costs are lower.

7 Tips to Grow Your Radiologist Salary

1. Get Board Certification in Multiple Areas: Earning certification in different radiology areas can boost your pay by 15-20%. According to many U.S. salary surveys, radiologists with multiple board certifications earn more than general radiologists.

2. Learn New Technology Skills: Mastering AI imaging tools and advanced software increases your value to hospitals. Employers pay more for radiologists who can work with the latest medical imaging technology.

3. Consider Rural Hospital Positions: Rural areas often offer competitive compensation and signing bonuses to attract top talent. These jobs may pay $50,000-$100,000 more than city positions when you factor in bonuses.

4. Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on growing fields like pediatric radiology or interventional radiology. These specialties often pay 10-15% more than general diagnostic radiology, according to hospital salary data.

5. Negotiate Your Contract: Don't accept the first offer. Many radiologists can increase their starting salary by $20,000-$40,000 through smart negotiation. Include benefits like CME funds and vacation time in your discussions.

6. Work Part-Time at Multiple Facilities: Some radiologists earn more by working at 2-3 different hospitals or clinics. This approach can increase total yearly income by 25-30% compared to one full-time job.

7. Pursue Leadership Roles: Becoming a department head or medical director adds $50,000-$100,000 to your base salary. Many hospitals need radiologists who can manage teams and budgets.

FAQs About a Radiologist's Salary

Is the average salary for a Radiologist before or after tax?

All salary numbers shown are gross annual salaries before taxes. You will need to subtract federal, state, and local taxes from these amounts to find your take-home pay.

Does the salary for a Radiologist include bonuses?

No, these base salary figures do not include bonuses, profit sharing, or signing bonuses. Many radiologists earn additional money through performance bonuses and overtime pay.

How many years of training does a Radiologist need?

Radiologists need 4 years of medical school plus 4-5 years of residency training. Some do an extra 1-2 years of fellowship training in specialty areas.

Do Radiologists work nights and weekends?

Yes, many radiologists work on-call shifts for emergency cases. Night and weekend work often pays extra hourly rates on top of base salary.

What affects a Radiologist's salary the most?

Experience level, location, and specialty area have the biggest impact on pay. Entry-level radiologists typically earn less but can see steady, significant growth as they gain expertise and reputation.

Can Radiologists work from home?

Yes, many radiologists do teleradiology work from home offices. Remote radiologists often earn similar salaries to hospital-based doctors.

How does a Radiologist's pay compare to that of other doctors?

Radiologists earn more than family doctors and pediatricians but less than surgeons and specialists like cardiologists. They rank in the top 25% of all physician salaries.

Do hospital Radiologists earn more than private practice?

Hospital radiologists often have more stable salaries with better benefits. Private practice radiologists may earn more money but have higher business risks and expenses.

What benefits do Radiologists typically receive?

Most radiologist jobs include health insurance, retirement plans, malpractice insurance, and continuing education funds. Many positions also offer vacation time and sick leave.

Is there job growth for Radiologists in 2025?

Yes, the job outlook for radiologists remains strong. An aging population needs more medical imaging, creating steady demand for qualified radiologists across the country.

All pay information is current as of 2025. Data comes from several global salary surveys and government statistics, 2025.