The Average Salary for a Diagnostic Radiologist

Diagnostic radiologists are specialized physicians who are trained in the use of radioactive substances for imaging and treatment purposes. While these medical professionals may be involved with obtaining and interpreting medical imaging through the use of x-rays, fluoroscopy, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they should not be confused with radiology technicians, who have much less training and are typically not medical doctors. Diagnostic radiologists are highly trained and are well compensated for their skills.

Considerations

• Doctors and surgeons are among the most highly compensated professionals in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median income for primary care physicians was $186,044 in 2008 while those working in medical specialties, such as diagnostic radiology, received a median compensation of $339,738. Salary.com places the median annual salary of radiologists at nearly $402,000. According to the American College of Radiology, approximately 1.2 percent of American physicians choose radiology as a specialty.

Time Frame

• Experience plays an important role in determining the total compensation for diagnostic radiologists, according to PayScale.com. As of October 2010, diagnostic radiologists can expect to earn a minimum of $45,000 during their first year in practice. Those with more than five years on the job average a minimum annual income of more than $145,000. Diagnostic radiologists with more than 20 years in practice may average between $192,971 and $294,791.

Geography

• The part of the country where a diagnostic radiologist chooses to practice can affect her income. According to PayScale.com, as of October 2010 diagnostic radiologists practicing in California earned the lowest average salary with incomes ranging from approximately $100,000 to $247,344. Pennsylvania offered the highest average salaries for diagnostic radiologists with salaries ranging between $160,000 and $365,000.

Benefits

• Salary only represents a little more than 80 percent of a diagnostic radiologist's total compensation, according to Salary.com. Paid time off accounts for an additional 10 percent of compensation. The remaining 10 percent is made up of bonuses, employer contributions to health and disability insurance, and employer contributions to private and government retirement programs.

Potential

• The demand for physicians and surgeons in both primary care and specialty fields is expected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018 according to the BLS. Growth in this employment sector is expected to be fueled by increased demand for health care services due to the aging of the population along with an anticipated higher-than-average number of physician retirements. The demand for specialties such as radiology is expected to increase due to the increased risks for heart disease and cancer associated with an aging population.