Radiology

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 Compared to Related Healthcare Positions

CareerAnnual Mean Wage
Nuclear Medicine Technologists$75,660
Pharmacists$124,170
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other$208,000
Radiologic Technologists$58,440

Source: 2016 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2016-26 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

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.

What are the highest-paying positions in Radiology other than a Radiologist M.D.?

CareerBottom 10% Annual WageAnnual Median WageTop 10% Annual Wage
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$28,680$55,270$90,760
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$50,760$71,410$99,840
Nuclear Medicine Technologists$54,410$75,660$103,660
Radiologic Technologists$39,840$58,440$84,110

Source: 2016 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2016-26 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

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.

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