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Radiologist

$239,200+
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Interpret medical images such as X-rays, CT, and MRI scans to diagnose injury and disease.

Where you work

Hospitals and imaging centers

The hours

Full time, some on-call

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$239,200+
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~800
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+3%
About average
Working in the U.S.
28,200
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Doctoral / professional degree

Training path: Medical degree plus radiology residency.

License or certification

Requires a medical degree, a residency, and a state medical license.

What it takes

Image interpretationAttention to detailAnatomyFocus

The honest take

A physician who reads X-rays, MRIs, and scans to diagnose disease, among the very highest-paid careers, above $239,000.

Standard Occupational Classification 29-1224. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.