Radiologist Pay

Chester vs Pittsburgh: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Chester, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chester, PA
$415,916
$199.96/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$443,022
$212.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChester, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$415,916$443,022
Hourly Rate$199.96$212.99
Entry Level (P10)$241,231$256,953
25th Percentile$299,459$318,976
75th Percentile$483,403$544,350
Top Earner (P90)$551,892$651,080
Total Employed558
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chester ($415,916) and Pittsburgh ($443,022) radiologist salaries.ChesterPittsburghMedian Salary$415,916$443,022Entry Level (P10)$241,231$256,953Top Earner (P90)$551,892$651,080US Median $441,903

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chester.

The salary gap between Chester and Pittsburgh is $27,106 (6.52%). Pittsburgh's median is +0.25% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chester spans $310,661,Pittsburgh spans $394,127. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Chester
P10 (Entry)$241,231
P25$299,459
Median$415,916
P75$483,403
P90 (Top)$551,892
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$256,953
P25$318,976
Median$443,022
P75$544,350
P90 (Top)$651,080

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($454,848 effective) pays 6.52% more than Chester ($427,018 effective).

Chester
Nominal: $415,916
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $427,018
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $443,022
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $454,848

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chester if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($443,022/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($651,080)
  • Larger job market (58 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $454,848)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Chester grew 9.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.3% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

Chester, PA

+9.3%

$362,358 (2024) → $396,110 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+9.3%

$385,975 (2024) → $421,926 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Chester or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a higher median radiologist salary at $443,022/year, compared to Chester at $415,916/year — a difference of $27,106 (6.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chester and Pittsburgh?

Chester radiologists earn $199.96/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $212.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chester to Pittsburgh as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chester and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chester = $427,018, Pittsburgh = $454,848), job availability (5 vs 58 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Chester vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $241,231 in Chester and $256,953 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh 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