Radiologist Pay

Aurora vs Park Ridge: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Aurora, IL and Park Ridge, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, IL
$423,723
$203.71/hr
Park Ridge, IL
$412,569
$198.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, ILPark Ridge, IL
Median Salary$423,723$412,569
Hourly Rate$203.71$198.36
Entry Level (P10)$245,760$239,290
25th Percentile$305,081$297,050
75th Percentile$511,831$477,096
Top Earner (P90)$602,713$568,901
Total Employed447
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($423,723) and Park Ridge ($412,569) radiologist salaries.AuroraPark RidgeMedian Salary$423,723$412,569Entry Level (P10)$245,760$239,290Top Earner (P90)$602,713$568,901US Median $441,903

Verdict

Aurora, IL offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Park Ridge.

The salary gap between Aurora and Park Ridge is $11,154 (2.70%). Aurora's median is -4.11% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $356,953,Park Ridge spans $329,611. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$245,760
P25$305,081
Median$423,723
P75$511,831
P90 (Top)$602,713
Park Ridge
P10 (Entry)$239,290
P25$297,050
Median$412,569
P75$477,096
P90 (Top)$568,901

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($436,378 effective) pays 2.70% more than Park Ridge ($424,891 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $423,723
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $436,378
Park Ridge
Nominal: $412,569
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $424,891

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Higher median salary ($423,723/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($602,713)
  • Larger job market (44 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $436,378)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Park Ridge if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Aurora, IL

+7.9%

$373,955 (2024) → $403,546 (2025)

Park Ridge, IL

+7.9%

$364,111 (2024) → $392,923 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Aurora or Park Ridge?

Aurora has a higher median radiologist salary at $423,723/year, compared to Park Ridge at $412,569/year — a difference of $11,154 (2.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Park Ridge?

Aurora radiologists earn $203.71/hr while Park Ridge hygienists earn $198.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Park Ridge as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Park Ridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $436,378, Park Ridge = $424,891), job availability (44 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Aurora vs Park Ridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $245,760 in Aurora and $239,290 in Park Ridge. The Aurora area offers higher starting salaries.
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