Radiologist Pay

Bowie vs Columbia: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Bowie, MD and Columbia, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowie, MD
$480,638
$231.07/hr
Columbia, MD
$621,600
$298.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowie, MDColumbia, MD
Median Salary$480,638$621,600
Hourly Rate$231.07$298.85
Entry Level (P10)$278,770$360,528
25th Percentile$346,059$447,552
75th Percentile$572,552$758,267
Top Earner (P90)$664,572$893,408
Total Employed1024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowie ($480,638) and Columbia ($621,600) radiologist salaries.BowieColumbiaMedian Salary$480,638$621,600Entry Level (P10)$278,770$360,528Top Earner (P90)$664,572$893,408US Median $441,903

Verdict

Columbia, MD offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowie.

The salary gap between Bowie and Columbia is $140,962 (29.33%). Columbia's median is +40.66% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowie spans $385,802,Columbia spans $532,880. Columbia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Bowie
P10 (Entry)$278,770
P25$346,059
Median$480,638
P75$572,552
P90 (Top)$664,572
Columbia
P10 (Entry)$360,528
P25$447,552
Median$621,600
P75$758,267
P90 (Top)$893,408

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbia ($568,710 effective) pays 29.33% more than Bowie ($439,742 effective).

Bowie
Nominal: $480,638
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $439,742
Columbia
Nominal: $621,600
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $568,710

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowie if…

  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Columbia if…

  • Higher median salary ($621,600/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($893,408)
  • Larger job market (24 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $568,710)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Bowie grew 6.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.4% growth in Columbia over the same period.

Bowie, MD

+6.5%

$429,623 (2024) → $457,750 (2025)

Columbia, MD

+33.4%

$443,919 (2024) → $592,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Bowie or Columbia?

Columbia has a higher median radiologist salary at $621,600/year, compared to Bowie at $480,638/year — a difference of $140,962 (29.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowie and Columbia?

Bowie radiologists earn $231.07/hr while Columbia hygienists earn $298.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowie to Columbia as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowie and Columbia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowie = $439,742, Columbia = $568,710), job availability (10 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Bowie vs Columbia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $278,770 in Bowie and $360,528 in Columbia. The Columbia 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