Radiologist Salary
Radiologists are the Physicians (M.D.'s) that do the actual diagnoses of disorders and illnesses of the human body. This is a professional doctor who must obtain a medical degree and complete residency requirements. Radiologist salary is significantly higher than the other positions because of the M.D. designation. In addition, Radiologists are in extremely high demand due to the national shortage of these highly skilled professionals.
Radiologist Salary At A Glance
| Radiology job | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist (M.D.) | $309,976 | $361,538 | $434,022 |
Radiologist Salary Compared to Related Healthcare Positions
| Position | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist (M.D.) | $309,976 | $361,538 | $434,022 |
| Radiologist Assistant (R.A.) | $90,076 | $102,972 | $112,615 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $40,960 | $67,670 | $77,520 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $41,612 | $52,336 | $81,136 |
What are the differences between the positions and why is Radiologist salary significantly higher?
The job titles in the field of radiology can be very confusing because many of them sound similar. Also, many of the job titles have recently undergone changes in the official medical community. A common misunderstanding is the distinction between a Radiologist and a Radiologic Technologist (R.T.). The main distinction is that a Radiologist is an actual physician (M.D.) and can use radiology technology to diagnoses and treat patients, whereas a Radiologic Technologist is a certified medical imaging professional who specializes in the imaging procedures, but cannot go to the level of diagnoses like the Radiologist M.D. It is for this reason that Radiologist salaries are significantly higher.
However, due to the Radiologist shortage crisis in the United States, a new position that does not require a M.D. level education has been formed. This is relatively new and highly coveted Radiologist Assistant (R.A.) position, which comes with a salary over $100,000 per year and is the highest level position in radiology short of a Radiologist M.D. There is also confusion about why someone with "assistant" in their job title would be paid higher than a Radiologic Technologist. The R.A. position requires a masters degree and is considered a higher level position than a Radiologic Technologist. To learn more about the differences, visit our radiology careers page.
What are the highest paying positions in Radiology other than a Radiologist M.D.?
The highest paying position short of a Radiologist salary is that of the Radiologist Assistant with salaries over $100,000 per year. This position has been formed to help with the radiology shortage. Some hospitals were taking extreme measures such as video conferencing Radiologist M.D.'s from India to review images and help to make official diagnosis. With these doctors being stretched too thin, measures had to be taken to fill the gaps, which is why the R.A. position came into being. Radiologist Assistants can perform complex imaging modalities and write up a recommended diagnoses; however, the actual Radiologist must sign off and approve the diagnoses. The R.A. cannot make any official diagnosis.
A Radiologist Assistant must obtain a masters degree from an accredited radiology school. To learn more, jump to the Radiologist Assistant Overview page and find a school offering a radiology bachelor's or masters program.
To compare salaries for all radiology positions, go to our radiology salary overview page, or to compare radiology career paths, go to our radiology careers page and find the right fit for you.