Radiologist Pay

Chesapeake vs Radford: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

Chesapeake, VA
$508,648
$244.55/hr
Radford, VA
$470,492
$226.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChesapeake, VARadford, VA
Median Salary$508,648$470,492
Hourly Rate$244.55$226.20
Entry Level (P10)$295,016$272,886
25th Percentile$366,226$338,754
75th Percentile$640,547$539,977
Top Earner (P90)$771,368$607,692
Total Employed636
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chesapeake ($508,648) and Radford ($470,492) radiologist salaries.ChesapeakeRadfordMedian Salary$508,648$470,492Entry Level (P10)$295,016$272,886Top Earner (P90)$771,368$607,692US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chesapeake and Radford is $38,156 (8.11%). 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 Chesapeake spans $476,352,Radford spans $334,806. Chesapeake has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chesapeake
P10 (Entry)$295,016
P25$366,226
Median$508,648
P75$640,547
P90 (Top)$771,368
Radford
P10 (Entry)$272,886
P25$338,754
Median$470,492
P75$539,977
P90 (Top)$607,692

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chesapeake ($492,876 effective) pays 8.11% more than Radford ($455,903 effective).

Chesapeake
Nominal: $508,648
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $492,876
Radford
Nominal: $470,492
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $455,903

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Radford if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Chesapeake, VA

+19.5%

$405,492 (2024) → $484,427 (2025)

Radford, VA

+19.5%

$375,074 (2024) → $448,088 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Chesapeake or Radford?

Chesapeake has a higher median radiologist salary at $508,648/year, compared to Radford at $470,492/year — a difference of $38,156 (8.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chesapeake and Radford?

Chesapeake radiologists earn $244.55/hr while Radford hygienists earn $226.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chesapeake to Radford as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chesapeake and Radford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chesapeake = $492,876, Radford = $455,903), job availability (63 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $295,016 in Chesapeake and $272,886 in Radford. 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