Radiologist Pay

Aurora vs Castle Rock: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Aurora, CO and Castle Rock, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$353,546
$169.97/hr
Castle Rock, CO
$457,062
$219.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, COCastle Rock, CO
Median Salary$353,546$457,062
Hourly Rate$169.97$219.74
Entry Level (P10)$205,057$265,096
25th Percentile$254,553$329,085
75th Percentile$433,435$538,720
Top Earner (P90)$517,919$624,149
Total Employed5414
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($353,546) and Castle Rock ($457,062) radiologist salaries.AuroraCastle RockMedian Salary$353,546$457,062Entry Level (P10)$205,057$265,096Top Earner (P90)$517,919$624,149US Median $441,903

Verdict

Castle Rock, CO offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Aurora and Castle Rock is $103,516 (29.28%). Castle Rock's median is +3.43% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $312,862,Castle Rock spans $359,053. Castle Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$205,057
P25$254,553
Median$353,546
P75$433,435
P90 (Top)$517,919
Castle Rock
P10 (Entry)$265,096
P25$329,085
Median$457,062
P75$538,720
P90 (Top)$624,149

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Castle Rock ($435,297 effective) pays 29.28% more than Aurora ($336,710 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $353,546
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $336,710
Castle Rock
Nominal: $457,062
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $435,297

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Larger job market (54 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Castle Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($457,062/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($624,149)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $435,297)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Aurora grew -19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Castle Rock over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-19.9%

$420,533 (2024) → $336,710 (2025)

Castle Rock, CO

+7.9%

$403,378 (2024) → $435,297 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Aurora or Castle Rock?

Castle Rock has a higher median radiologist salary at $457,062/year, compared to Aurora at $353,546/year — a difference of $103,516 (29.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Castle Rock?

Aurora radiologists earn $169.97/hr while Castle Rock hygienists earn $219.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Castle Rock as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Castle Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $336,710, Castle Rock = $435,297), job availability (54 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Aurora vs Castle Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $205,057 in Aurora and $265,096 in Castle Rock. The Castle Rock area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD

Career Analyst

Dr. Chen has 10 years of experience in diagnostic radiology. She specializes in imaging techniques for oncology. She works at a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Rajesh Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Lisa Gonzalez, MD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.00% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed radiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov