Radiologist Pay

Chattanooga vs Cleveland: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Chattanooga, TN and Cleveland, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chattanooga, TN
$446,926
$214.87/hr
Cleveland, TN
$430,218
$206.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNCleveland, TN
Median Salary$446,926$430,218
Hourly Rate$214.87$206.84
Entry Level (P10)$259,218$249,526
25th Percentile$321,787$309,756
75th Percentile$554,418$521,951
Top Earner (P90)$660,224$605,256
Total Employed3610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($446,926) and Cleveland ($430,218) radiologist salaries.ChattanoogaClevelandMedian Salary$446,926$430,218Entry Level (P10)$259,218$249,526Top Earner (P90)$660,224$605,256US Median $441,903

Verdict

Chattanooga, TN offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleveland.

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Cleveland is $16,708 (3.88%). Chattanooga's median is +1.14% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chattanooga spans $401,006,Cleveland spans $355,730. Chattanooga has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chattanooga
P10 (Entry)$259,218
P25$321,787
Median$446,926
P75$554,418
P90 (Top)$660,224
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$249,526
P25$309,756
Median$430,218
P75$521,951
P90 (Top)$605,256

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($486,847 effective) pays 3.88% more than Cleveland ($468,647 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $446,926
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $486,847
Cleveland
Nominal: $430,218
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $468,647

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chattanooga if…

  • Higher median salary ($446,926/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($660,224)
  • Larger job market (36 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $486,847)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Chattanooga grew 26.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+26.9%

$335,320 (2024) → $425,644 (2025)

Cleveland, TN

+26.9%

$322,784 (2024) → $409,731 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Chattanooga or Cleveland?

Chattanooga has a higher median radiologist salary at $446,926/year, compared to Cleveland at $430,218/year — a difference of $16,708 (3.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Cleveland?

Chattanooga radiologists earn $214.87/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $206.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Cleveland as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $486,847, Cleveland = $468,647), job availability (36 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Chattanooga vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $259,218 in Chattanooga and $249,526 in Cleveland. The Chattanooga 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