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Radiologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$420,860median pay per year, or $202.34 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $89,010lowest 10% earn less
  2. $216,80025th percentile
  3. $420,860median
  4. $506,01075th percentile
  5. $594,410top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[7]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Radiologists earn far more than the typical US worker, with a median wage of $420,860 a year against $50,980 for all occupations[1][2]. Getting there takes medical school and a residency[3][4], and BLS expects job growth close to the all-occupations rate[5][6].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.4%[5]
Openings per year
700[8]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[4]

How much do radiologists make?

Radiologists earned a median wage of $420,860 a year, or $202.34 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of radiologists earned more than that and half earned less[9]. For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980[2].

The average (mean) wage was $381,530 a year, or $183.43 an hour[10]. That is lower than the median[1][10].

Pay varies a lot within the job. BLS percentiles show the spread[7]:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th $89,010 $42.79
25th $216,800 $104.23
50th (median) $420,860 $202.34
75th $506,010 $243.27
90th $594,410 $285.78

Table sources:[1][7][11].

A percentile is a boundary, not a starting salary. BLS does not publish starting pay[9]. The lowest-paid 10% of radiologists earned less than $89,010, and the top 10% earned more than $594,410[7].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out self-employed radiologists, and they do not count bonuses outside regular pay or the value of benefits like health insurance[12]. About 3.8% of radiologists were self-employed in 2025[13].

Pay by state and city

Minnesota had the highest state median for radiologists at $708,340 a year[14]. South Dakota ($586,010) and Maryland ($581,510) came next, followed by Maine ($555,750) and North Dakota ($553,140)[14]. At the other end of the published list, New Mexico ($96,170) and Arkansas ($75,600) had the lowest medians[14].

BLS published state data for 38 states and DC[14]. In five of them (Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Oregon and Washington) the median is shown only as $239,200 or more, so their exact place in the ranking is not known[14].

Texas had the most radiologist jobs with 2,330[15]. New York (2,010 jobs), Florida (1,680 jobs), Washington (1,480 jobs) and Pennsylvania (1,360 jobs) followed[15]. The Texas median of $319,320 was below the national figure[14][1].

Among metro areas with at least 100 radiologist jobs[16], Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had the highest median at $488,670, then St. Louis ($468,860) and New York-Newark-Jersey City ($465,780)[16]. The New York metro also had the most jobs (1,950), ahead of Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (1,210)[17]. Two big Texas metros paid much less: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington had 770 jobs with a median of $156,800, and Houston had 500 jobs with a median of $131,470[17].

Show median pay in 38 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Minnesota[14]$708,340440
South Dakota$586,01070
Maryland$581,510n/a
Maine$555,750n/a
North Dakota$553,140120
New Hampshire$506,010210
Michigan$485,920360
New Jersey$482,700n/a
West Virginia$471,650360
Arizona$470,640n/a
Pennsylvania$455,3801,360
New York$441,5802,010
Indiana$430,640680
Massachusetts$426,560n/a
Florida$417,6901,680
Utah$417,250380
Iowa$405,220130
Wisconsin$392,610980
Nevada$386,210410
Virginia$376,270n/a
Montana$360,330110
Colorado$344,270500
Georgia$335,190n/a
Texas$319,3202,330
Kentucky$279,990n/a
California$270,560690
Ohio$260,000770
Delaware$239,200+160
Hawaii$239,200+80
Illinois$239,200+n/a
Oregon$239,200+230
Washington$239,200+1,480
Connecticut$191,990n/a
District of Columbia$182,45080
Kansas$179,990n/a
South Carolina$174,480n/a
Wyoming$161,75030
New Mexico$96,170170
Arkansas$75,600150

How to become a radiologist

BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the entry education, with an internship or residency as on-the-job training and no prior related work experience required[4]. The training details below come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for physicians and surgeons, which covers radiologists along with other doctors[18].

1) Finish a bachelor's degree[19]. No particular major is required, but medical school applicants often take biology, physical science or health courses[19]. 2) Apply to medical school[20]. Admission is very competitive. Schools look at transcripts, MCAT scores, recommendation letters and interviews[20]. 3) Earn a medical degree, which takes about 4 more years after college[3]. The degree is either an M.D. or a D.O.[19]. The first part is mostly classes and labs. The second part is hands-on work with patients in hospitals and clinics under supervision[21][22]. 4) Complete a residency[4]. Depending on the specialty, residency lasts from 3 to 9 years[23]. 5) Add a fellowship if you want to subspecialize[23]. Fellowships take 1 to 3 years[23].

License. Every state requires physicians to hold a license, and the rules differ by state[24]. You need to graduate from an accredited medical school, finish residency and pass standardized national exams[24][25].

Board certification. It is optional, but it may improve job prospects. It requires finishing a residency and passing a specialty exam from a medical certifying board[26].

Some medical schools offer combined college and medical school programs of 6 to 8 years[27]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Five, its group for jobs needing extensive preparation[28]. In an ONET survey of 22 radiologists, 58% said the job requires post-doctoral training, 28% said a doctoral degree and 11% said an associate's degree[29].

What radiologists do

Radiologists use medical imaging, such as x rays, MRI, nuclear medicine and ultrasound, to find and treat disease and injury[30]. Some also do minimally invasive procedures[30]. O*NET lists these among their main tasks[31]:

Job titles reported by workers include diagnostic radiologist, interventional radiologist, neuroradiologist and nuclear medicine physician[32].

Where they work

The work environment details come from the profile for physicians and surgeons as a whole[18]. Doctors in this group work in clinical places such as physician offices and hospitals, including teaching hospitals[33]. Some work outside patient care, for government agencies, nonprofits or insurance companies[33]. Some work within a group practice or health organization, which helps them coordinate care but means less independence than working solo[34].

The OOH says most physicians and surgeons work full time, and some work over 40 hours a week[35]. Long shifts, overnight hours and on-call duty are common in the wider group[35]. They may spend long periods on their feet[36]. Clear communication matters, including writing reports that describe a patient's condition[37].

Job outlook

Between 2025 and 2035, BLS projects radiologist employment to rise by 3.4%, growing from roughly 28,700 jobs to 29,600[5]. That is about the same pace as the 3.5% projected for all occupations[6].

About 700 openings are expected each year on average[8]. Openings include jobs freed up when workers retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[8]. Each year about 1.8% of radiologists are expected to leave the labor force and 0.4% to move to another occupation[38].

The projection counts (28,700 in 2025) include self-employed workers, while the May 2025 wage survey counted about 26,770 wage and salary jobs[5][39]. They measure different things, so the numbers do not match.

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to very high pay, with a median of $420,860 against $50,980 for all occupations[1][2]. The trade-off is long training: a bachelor's degree, about 4 years of medical school and a residency of 3 to 9 years in the wider physician group[3][23]. Pay depends a lot on where you work, from $708,340 in Minnesota to $75,600 in Arkansas[14]. Job growth of 3.4% is close to the all-occupations rate, with about 700 openings a year[5][6][8]. The job may suit someone ready for a long training path who wants work centered on reading images and advising other doctors[31].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[40].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a radiologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $202.34 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $42.79 an hour and the top 10% more than $285.78[11].
How long does it take to become a radiologist?
After a bachelor's degree, medical school takes about 4 years and residency 3 to 9 years, based on the profile for physicians and surgeons[3][18]. A fellowship adds 1 to 3 years[23].
What degree do you need to be a radiologist?
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree for entry[4]. Physicians typically hold an M.D. or D.O. after a bachelor's degree[19].
What is the highest paying state for radiologists?
Minnesota had the highest published state median at $708,340 a year[14]. Five states are reported only as $239,200 or more, so their exact rank is unknown[14].
Are radiologists in demand?
BLS projects 3.4% growth from 2025 to 2035, close to the 3.5% for all occupations, with about 700 openings a year[5][6][8].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Radiologists in the US was $420,860 per year and $202.34 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Radiologists: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Radiologists is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 28,700 to 29,600 jobs (a change of +1,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Radiologists: 10th percentile $89,010, 25th percentile $216,800, 75th percentile $506,010, 90th percentile $594,410. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS Employment Projections: about 700 openings for Radiologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Radiologists was $381,530 per year and $183.43 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Radiologists: 10th percentile $42.79, 25th percentile $104.23, 75th percentile $243.27, 90th percentile $285.78. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS Employment Projections: 3.8% of Radiologists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  14. Median annual wage for Radiologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Radiologists jobs: Texas 2,330; New York 2,010; Florida 1,680; Washington 1,480; Pennsylvania 1,360. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Radiologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $488,670; St. Louis, MO-IL $468,860; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $465,780; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $452,940; Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $449,940; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $410,170; York-Hanover, PA $384,290; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $344,270. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Radiologists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,950 (median $465,780); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,210 (median $239,200 or more); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 770 (median $156,800); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 550 (median $452,940); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 500 (median $131,470); Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN 400 (median $239,200 or more). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Physicians and Surgeons" covers Radiologists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET 29-1224.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 29-1224.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Doctoral Training 58%, Doctoral Degree 28%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET description of Radiologists. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET task list for Radiologists. O*NET OnLine
  32. O*NET 29-1224.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Attending Physician, Diagnostic Radiologist, Interventional Neuroradiologist, Interventional Radiologist, Musculoskeletal Specialty Radiologist (MSK Specialty Radiologist), Neuroradiologist, Nuclear Medicine Physician, Nuclear Medicine Specialist. O*NET OnLine
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Radiologists: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 26,770 people were employed as Radiologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  40. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.