Radiologist Salary in 2025: Latest Data, Subspecialties, and State-by-State Comparison

Radiology remains one of the highest-paying medical specialties in 2025, with radiologist salaries continuing to rise due to strong demand and specialized skills. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the average radiologist salary in the United States, compare salaries by subspecialty, examine highest vs. lowest paying states, review trends from 2020 to 2025, and compare earnings by experience level. Whether you’re a job-seeking radiologist or a curious healthcare professional, this easy-to-digest overview will help you understand what radiologists are earning and why.

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Average Radiologist Salary in 2025 (United States)

On average, radiologists in the U.S. earn well into the six figures, often reaching around half a million dollars per year. Exact figures vary by source and methodology, but multiple salary surveys agree that radiologists are among the top earners in medicine. For instance:

• Medscape’s 2024 survey (covering physician incomes in 2024) reported an average annual compensation of about $520,000 for radiologists, placing radiology near the top of the specialty pay scale (second only to orthopedic surgery in that survey).
  

• Doximity’s 2025 report (covering 2024 data) found an even higher average for full-time radiologists – roughly $571,700 per year, which was a 7.5% increase from the prior year. This sharp jump outpaced the average growth across all physicians and highlights radiology’s booming demand.
  

• By comparison, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which tracks wages based on occupational data, lists a mean annual wage of about $353,960 for radiologists as of May 2023. (The BLS figure is lower partly because many radiologists earn above the BLS reporting thresholds, and it may not fully capture top incomes or bonuses.) In practice, most attending radiologists earn well above this mean.
  

In summary, typical radiologist salaries in 2025 are in the mid-to-high six figures. Permanent staff radiologists often make between $450,000 and $550,000 per year in base salary, depending on factors like location, experience, and subspecialty. Radiologists working extra hours or in contract roles (e.g. locum tenens) can earn even more – equivalent to roughly $500,000–$650,000 annually for full-time locums, thanks to higher hourly rates. It’s also important to note that these numbers usually exclude additional compensation like bonuses, profit-sharing, or benefits. In fact, one analysis found that when performance bonuses and other incentives are included, the total compensation for radiologists averaged over $514,000 – well above the base salary alone. Radiology’s specialized skill set and workload (often including night shifts and high productivity expectations) contribute to these high pay levels.

Radiologist Salary by Subspecialty

Radiology is a broad field with various subspecialties, and what type of radiologist you are has a significant impact on earnings. In 2025, certain subspecialties command notably higher salaries due to their procedural nature or demand, while others pay slightly less. Here’s a breakdown of radiologist salaries by subspecialty:

• Interventional Radiology (IR): Interventional radiologists, who perform minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging, are typically the highest-paid radiologists. Their specialized skills and around-the-clock procedural duties earn them an average around $520,000 – $600,000 per year. Some reports put the average IR salary in the low $500,000s, while others note that in private practice it’s not uncommon for IR physicians to approach the high-$500k to $600k+ range with experience. This premium reflects the extra training and revenue-generating procedures (e.g. angioplasties, embolizations) that IR doctors handle.
  

• Neuroradiology: Neuroradiologists specialize in imaging of the brain, spine, and nervous system. They also earn at the top end of the range – roughly $530,000 on average annually. In many cases, neuroradiology salaries are comparable to or slightly above general diagnostic radiology. (If a neuroradiologist also performs interventional neuroradiology procedures, their compensation can be even higher.)
  

• Diagnostic Radiology (General): “Diagnostic” radiologists (those reading X-rays, CTs, MRIs, etc. across the body without a further subspecialty focus) form the baseline. General radiologists still earn very high incomes – typically in the $400,000 to $500,000 range per year on average. Many factors can influence a general radiologist’s pay (including how much overnight call they cover and whether they work in private practice or academia), but mid-career general radiologists often hover around the half-million mark in 2025.
  

• Pediatric Radiology: Radiologists who subspecialize in pediatric imaging tend to earn less than other radiologists. Treating children often comes with lower reimbursement rates. The average pediatric radiologist’s salary is around $326,000 per year, according to one compensation analysis. Even other estimates (Salary.com, for example) put pediatric radiology in the low $400,000s for experienced practitioners – still lower than the overall radiology average. In other words, a pediatric radiologist might earn on the order of 20–40% less than a general or interventional radiologist. That said, many in this field choose it for passion and specialize despite the pay difference.
  

• Other Subspecialties: Additional radiology niches like mammography (breast imaging), body imaging (abdominal/chest), musculoskeletal imaging, and nuclear medicine have their own market rates. Generally, highly specialized or in-demand areas pay more. For example, radiologists focusing on high-demand modalities (like MRI experts in musculoskeletal or cardiac imaging) can command higher salaries, especially in private practice. Meanwhile, non-interventional diagnostic roles such as purely reading imaging in academic centers may be on the lower end (e.g. around $300k–$400k as noted for some diagnostic subfields). The key takeaway is that subspecialty choice can create a large salary spread – in 2025 this ranged from roughly mid-$300,000s on the low end (pediatric or certain academic diagnostic roles) to well over $500,000 for interventional and other highly specialized radiologists.
  

Radiologist Salary by State: Highest and Lowest Paying States

Geography plays a big role in radiologist compensation. Radiologist salaries vary significantly from state to state in the U.S., influenced by cost of living, local demand, and supply of radiologists in the area. In 2025, analyses show as much as a $150,000+ difference between the highest-paying and lowest-paying states for radiologists.

According to a comprehensive state-by-state breakdown, the highest paying states for radiologists include:

• New York – Average around $410,000 per year
  

• Pennsylvania – Around $375,000 per year
  

• New Hampshire – Around $367,000 per year
  

• New Jersey – Around $361,000 per year
  

• Wyoming – Around $357,000 per year
  

These top states span both high-cost urban centers (e.g. New York City) and more rural states like Wyoming. High-paying states often either have major medical hubs that pay top dollar (New York, New Jersey) or more remote areas that offer a premium to attract talent (states with fewer radiologists may boost salaries or bonuses as incentive).

On the other end, the lowest paying states for radiologists tend to be in the South and parts of the Midwest. Examples include:

• Florida – Average around $275,000 per year
  

• Arkansas – Around $267,000 per year (one of the lowest)
  

• Michigan – Around $280,000 per year
  

• Kentucky – Around $281,000 per year
  

• West Virginia – Around $290,000 per year
  

It’s clear that a radiologist’s paycheck in states like Florida or Arkansas might be $150k+ lower than a comparable position in New York. Several factors explain this gap: local reimbursement rates, population needs, and competition. For instance, Florida has a high supply of radiologists (and often lower Medicare reimbursement in some regions), which can temper salaries. Meanwhile, states like New York and Pennsylvania not only have high costs of living (driving higher nominal salaries) but also large hospital systems willing to pay more for specialists.

It’s also worth noting that rural vs. urban differences can counterintuitively favor rural areas for pay. Some rural or underserved areas offer very competitive compensation packages (including signing bonuses) to lure radiologists, whereas certain attractive urban markets might have slightly lower base salaries but other perks. Always consider cost of living: a $400k salary in New York City doesn’t go as far as a $350k salary in a lower-cost state. When adjusted for living costs, some mid-sized cities (e.g. Rochester, Minnesota or Tulsa, Oklahoma) actually top the charts for real spendable radiologist income, whereas expensive coastal cities (Boston, San Francisco, etc.) fall lower on a cost-adjusted basis. In summary, location matters – radiologists aiming to maximize earnings might target certain high-paying states or negotiate for additional incentives if practicing in lower-paying regions.

Trends 2020–2025: Salary Growth and Future Outlook

Radiologist salaries have shown a strong upward trend from 2020 through 2025. Despite a temporary dip early in the COVID-19 pandemic, compensation has rebounded and surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Key trends and data points include:

• Steady Growth: Around 2020, the average radiologist salary was in the mid-$400,000s. (For example, Medscape reported an average of about $437,000, which was already a 10% increase over the prior year’s figure.) By 2024, that average climbed to roughly $500,000, and 2025 surveys indicate it’s still rising. In other words, radiologist pay has likely grown on the order of 15–20%+ over the last five years. This outpaces inflation and reflects increasing demand for radiology services.
  

• Pandemic Impact: In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 caused reductions in elective imaging and shifts in healthcare utilization. About 42% of radiologists saw income decreases during the height of the pandemic due to lower case volumes. However, this was largely a short-term effect; by 2022 and 2023, imaging volumes resurged and backlogs needed to be read, contributing to a “catch-up” boost in pay for many radiologists. Those who stayed in the field saw salaries recover and then exceed pre-pandemic numbers as the system caught up on delayed diagnostics.
  

• 2024 Surge: The latest data show a significant jump in radiologist compensation in 2024. Doximity’s survey noted a 7.5% salary increase for radiologists from 2023 to 2024 (from about $532k to $572k on average). Radiology was among the fastest-growing specialties in terms of pay during that period, ranking in the top 5 for compensation growth. Industry analysts point to several drivers for this surge: an aging population driving up imaging demand, a persistent shortage of radiologists relative to workload, high locum tenens rates forcing employers to raise permanent salaries, and many hospitals adding premium pay for nights/weekends to cover 24/7 radiology needs. In short, demand far exceeded supply in recent years, giving radiologists increased leverage in compensation.
  

• Future Outlook: Going forward, the outlook for radiologist pay in the near future (2025 and beyond) is continued modest growth. Most experts anticipate annual salary increases on the order of 3–4% per year in the next couple of years. This means radiology should continue to see higher-than-average physician pay growth, though perhaps not as dramatic as the post-pandemic jump. Certain areas could see bigger raises – for example, interventional radiology or roles that require heavy call coverage might command larger pay increases as those skills remain in short supply. One factor that could temper growth is healthcare policy: cuts to Medicare physician fees (a ~2.8% cut in 2025) put some downward pressure on physician incomes. Even so, with imaging demand projected to keep rising steadily and AI tools augmenting rather than replacing radiologists, the fundamental supply-demand equation suggests radiologist salaries will remain high or even climb further in the coming years.
  

In summary, the 2020–2025 period has been very favorable for radiologist compensation, with a sharp rebound after 2020 and solid growth each year. Radiology’s role is expanding and the workforce isn’t growing fast enough to meet demand, which likely means employers will continue to compete by offering strong compensation. Aspiring radiologists and those negotiating jobs can be reasonably confident that the field’s earning potential will stay robust.

Salary by Experience Level: Entry-Level vs. Mid-Career vs. Senior Radiologists

Experience is another key factor in a radiologist’s salary. Naturally, a new radiologist just finishing training will earn less than a seasoned radiologist who has been practicing for many years or made partner in a private group. Here’s how radiologist salaries typically progress by experience level in 2025:

• Entry-Level Radiologists: After completing residency (and any fellowships), a newly practicing radiologist can expect a very high starting salary compared to most professions, though on the lower end of the radiologist range. Starting offers for general radiologists often fall in the $300,000 to $400,000 range for base salary. According to one analysis of job postings, the average entry-level radiologist salary is around $345,000 per year (about $166/hour) in 2025. Many starting positions also come with sign-on bonuses (often $20k–$50k or more) and incentives like student loan assistance or extra pay for taking evening shifts. Over the first few years, it’s common to see rapid income growth as radiologists become more efficient and, in private practice, as they approach partnership or productivity bonuses. (Note: During residency training, radiology salaries are much lower – typically in the $60k–$75k range – but those years are part of training, not full practice.)
  

• Mid-Career Radiologists: With ~5–10 years of experience, radiologist earnings tend to hit the national averages. Mid-career radiologists often earn in the mid-to-upper $400,000s into the $500,000s annually, depending on their practice situation. By this stage, many radiologists have partnership in a group or a stable position that includes productivity bonuses, which can boost pay significantly. Surveys like Medscape’s indicate that radiologists in their prime working years commonly report incomes around the half-million mark. For example, a mid-career diagnostic radiologist in a multi-specialty practice might make roughly $500k, whereas someone in a single-specialty radiology group (with heavier workload but profit-sharing) could be in the $550k+ range. This is also the point where differences in practice setting show up: those in private practice generally outearn their academic or hospital-employed peers. (Private practice radiologists often earn 20–30% more than academic radiologists of similar experience – trading higher pay for more workload and administrative duties.)
  

• Senior/Experienced Radiologists: Radiologists with a decade or more of experience, especially those who take on leadership roles or high-volume practices, can earn at the top of the pay scale. Experienced radiologists in 2025 can see salaries well over $600,000 per year in many cases. In some private radiology groups, senior partners share profits and may earn above $650k annually if the practice is very busy. Even in non-profit hospital settings, a senior radiologist who is perhaps a department chief or highly productive specialist could command a salary at the upper end of the range (plus additional benefits). It’s worth noting that after ~20+ years, some radiologists choose to scale back hours for lifestyle reasons, which can affect “late-career” averages. But those who continue full throttle can maintain very high incomes. Additionally, senior radiologists might diversify their income with stipends for administrative roles, teaching appointments, or consulting. Overall, by the peak of a radiologist’s career, compensation often doubles what was earned in the early career stage – reflecting both improved productivity and the value of experience.
  

Career Tip: To maximize earnings over a radiologist’s career, it helps to be strategic about job setting and negotiation. Data shows that single-specialty private practices pay the most (often $600–$650k for experienced docs), while academic roles pay the least (averaging around $380k–$450k in academic centers). Mid-career radiologists may consider switching from hospital employment to a group practice or exploring leadership positions to boost income. Also, continually updating skills (for example, getting additional certifications in lucrative areas like cardiac CT or interventional procedures) can make a radiologist more marketable and justify higher pay.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In 2025, radiologist salaries in the U.S. are at an all-time high. Radiology offers a rewarding and lucrative career, with average compensation around $500,000 (or more) and plenty of growth potential. Key takeaways from the data:

• The national average radiologist salary is now in the mid-six-figure range (roughly $500k), and rising demand for imaging is keeping compensation strong.
  

• Subspecialty choice matters – for the highest pay, fields like interventional radiology and neuroradiology lead the pack (often $500k+), whereas pediatric radiology and some purely diagnostic roles pay on the lower end (around $300–$400k).
  

• Location matters – practicing in states like New York or New Jersey can yield salaries near $400k–$450k+, while states like Arkansas or Florida might average in the $250k–$300k range. Always factor in cost of living and local demand when evaluating offers.
  

• Experience pays off – a new radiologist might start in the $300k+ range, but within a few years can reach the $500k level, and seasoned radiologists in private practice can earn $600k or more. Building experience, efficiency, and taking on greater responsibility can significantly boost income over time.
  

• Recent trends are positive – radiologist salaries grew substantially from 2020 to 2025, rebounding after the pandemic and then some. While growth may moderate, the outlook remains favorable with ongoing shortages of radiologists relative to demand.
  

For radiologists and radiology trainees, these numbers underscore that radiology is not only intellectually rewarding but also financially. Of course, individual circumstances will vary – group practice vs. academic, region, workload, and negotiation all influence one’s pay. It’s wise to research and compare before making career moves or job changes.

Ready to dive deeper or see specific salary data for your situation? For more detailed, real-time salary information – including breakdowns by state, city, subspecialty, and experience – be sure to check out the radiologist salary database on SalaryDr. You can explore up-to-date radiologist salaries and even compare compensation across different specialties on our platform. Use the link below to view current radiologist salary data:

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Whether you’re negotiating a job offer or planning your radiology career, having accurate salary insights is power. Radiology continues to be one of the best-paying fields in medicine, and staying informed will help you maximize your earning potential in 2025 and beyond.

Sources: The salary figures and trends discussed above are based on credible sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medscape’s Physician Compensation Reports, Doximity’s 2025 Physician Compensation Report, industry analyses (Becker’s Healthcare, AMN Healthcare), and SalaryDr’s own compiled data. For example, BLS occupational data provided baseline wage figures, while Medscape and Doximity surveys gave insight into nationwide physician earnings. Subspecialty and state comparisons were drawn from analyses by Medality (MRI Online) and Physicians Thrive, which aggregated BLS, Medscape, and other data. These sources paint a consistent picture of robust radiologist compensation in 2025. (All source references have been cited inline for further reading.)