Radiologist Pay

Chelmsford vs Worcester: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Chelmsford, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chelmsford, MA
$455,761
$219.11/hr
Worcester, MA
$490,115
$235.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChelmsford, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$455,761$490,115
Hourly Rate$219.11$235.63
Entry Level (P10)$264,342$284,267
25th Percentile$328,148$352,883
75th Percentile$547,899$590,401
Top Earner (P90)$634,613$751,577
Total Employed834
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chelmsford ($455,761) and Worcester ($490,115) radiologist salaries.ChelmsfordWorcesterMedian Salary$455,761$490,115Entry Level (P10)$264,342$284,267Top Earner (P90)$634,613$751,577US Median $441,903

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chelmsford.

The salary gap between Chelmsford and Worcester is $34,354 (7.54%). Worcester's median is +10.91% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chelmsford spans $370,271,Worcester spans $467,310. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Chelmsford
P10 (Entry)$264,342
P25$328,148
Median$455,761
P75$547,899
P90 (Top)$634,613
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$284,267
P25$352,883
Median$490,115
P75$590,401
P90 (Top)$751,577

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($451,719 effective) pays 7.54% more than Chelmsford ($420,056 effective).

Chelmsford
Nominal: $455,761
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $420,056
Worcester
Nominal: $490,115
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $451,719

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chelmsford if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($490,115/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($751,577)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $451,719)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Chelmsford grew 2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.6% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Chelmsford, MA

+2.6%

$422,857 (2024) → $434,058 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+2.6%

$454,732 (2024) → $466,776 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Chelmsford or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median radiologist salary at $490,115/year, compared to Chelmsford at $455,761/year — a difference of $34,354 (7.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chelmsford and Worcester?

Chelmsford radiologists earn $219.11/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $235.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chelmsford to Worcester as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chelmsford and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chelmsford = $420,056, Worcester = $451,719), job availability (8 vs 34 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Chelmsford vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $264,342 in Chelmsford and $284,267 in Worcester. The Worcester 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