Radiologist Pay

Burlington vs Charlotte: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Burlington, NC and Charlotte, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, NC
$405,242
$194.83/hr
Charlotte, NC
$453,304
$217.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$405,242$453,304
Hourly Rate$194.83$217.94
Entry Level (P10)$235,040$262,916
25th Percentile$291,774$326,379
75th Percentile$499,351$548,689
Top Earner (P90)$589,567$650,198
Total Employed14148
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($405,242) and Charlotte ($453,304) radiologist salaries.BurlingtonCharlotteMedian Salary$405,242$453,304Entry Level (P10)$235,040$262,916Top Earner (P90)$589,567$650,198US Median $441,903

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Charlotte is $48,062 (11.86%). Charlotte's median is +2.58% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $354,527,Charlotte spans $387,282. Charlotte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$235,040
P25$291,774
Median$405,242
P75$499,351
P90 (Top)$589,567
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$262,916
P25$326,379
Median$453,304
P75$548,689
P90 (Top)$650,198

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($484,299 effective) pays 11.86% more than Burlington ($432,951 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $405,242
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $432,951
Charlotte
Nominal: $453,304
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $484,299

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($453,304/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($650,198)
  • Larger job market (148 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $484,299)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Burlington grew 13.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+13.7%

$339,305 (2024) → $385,945 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+13.7%

$379,546 (2024) → $431,718 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Burlington or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a higher median radiologist salary at $453,304/year, compared to Burlington at $405,242/year — a difference of $48,062 (11.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Charlotte?

Burlington radiologists earn $194.83/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $217.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Charlotte as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $432,951, Charlotte = $484,299), job availability (14 vs 148 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Burlington vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $235,040 in Burlington and $262,916 in Charlotte. The Charlotte 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