Radiologist Pay

Charlottesville vs Chesapeake: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Charlottesville, VA and Chesapeake, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlottesville, VA
$471,498
$226.68/hr
Chesapeake, VA
$508,648
$244.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlottesville, VAChesapeake, VA
Median Salary$471,498$508,648
Hourly Rate$226.68$244.55
Entry Level (P10)$273,469$295,016
25th Percentile$339,479$366,226
75th Percentile$561,201$640,547
Top Earner (P90)$647,306$771,368
Total Employed1063
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlottesville ($471,498) and Chesapeake ($508,648) radiologist salaries.CharlottesvilleChesapeakeMedian Salary$471,498$508,648Entry Level (P10)$273,469$295,016Top Earner (P90)$647,306$771,368US Median $441,903

Verdict

Chesapeake, VA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Charlottesville.

The salary gap between Charlottesville and Chesapeake is $37,150 (7.88%). Chesapeake's median is +15.10% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlottesville spans $373,837,Chesapeake spans $476,352. Chesapeake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Charlottesville
P10 (Entry)$273,469
P25$339,479
Median$471,498
P75$561,201
P90 (Top)$647,306
Chesapeake
P10 (Entry)$295,016
P25$366,226
Median$508,648
P75$640,547
P90 (Top)$771,368

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chesapeake ($492,876 effective) pays 7.88% more than Charlottesville ($456,878 effective).

Charlottesville
Nominal: $471,498
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $456,878
Chesapeake
Nominal: $508,648
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $492,876

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlottesville if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Chesapeake if…

  • Higher median salary ($508,648/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($771,368)
  • Larger job market (63 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $492,876)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Charlottesville grew 19.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.5% growth in Chesapeake over the same period.

Charlottesville, VA

+19.5%

$375,876 (2024) → $449,046 (2025)

Chesapeake, VA

+19.5%

$405,492 (2024) → $484,427 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Charlottesville or Chesapeake?

Chesapeake has a higher median radiologist salary at $508,648/year, compared to Charlottesville at $471,498/year — a difference of $37,150 (7.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlottesville and Chesapeake?

Charlottesville radiologists earn $226.68/hr while Chesapeake hygienists earn $244.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlottesville to Chesapeake as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlottesville and Chesapeake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlottesville = $456,878, Chesapeake = $492,876), job availability (10 vs 63 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Charlottesville vs Chesapeake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $273,469 in Charlottesville and $295,016 in Chesapeake. The Chesapeake 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