Radiologist Pay

Cookeville vs Memphis: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

Cookeville, TN
$418,528
$201.21/hr
Memphis, TN
$474,933
$228.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCookeville, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$418,528$474,933
Hourly Rate$201.21$228.33
Entry Level (P10)$242,746$275,461
25th Percentile$301,341$341,951
75th Percentile$494,552$594,118
Top Earner (P90)$566,595$716,009
Total Employed7122
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cookeville ($418,528) and Memphis ($474,933) radiologist salaries.CookevilleMemphisMedian Salary$418,528$474,933Entry Level (P10)$242,746$275,461Top Earner (P90)$566,595$716,009US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cookeville and Memphis is $56,405 (13.48%). Memphis's median is +7.47% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cookeville spans $323,849,Memphis spans $440,548. Memphis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Cookeville
P10 (Entry)$242,746
P25$301,341
Median$418,528
P75$494,552
P90 (Top)$566,595
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$275,461
P25$341,951
Median$474,933
P75$594,118
P90 (Top)$716,009

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($517,356 effective) pays 13.48% more than Cookeville ($455,913 effective).

Cookeville
Nominal: $418,528
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $455,913
Memphis
Nominal: $474,933
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $517,356

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cookeville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($474,933/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($716,009)
  • Larger job market (122 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $517,356)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Cookeville, TN

+26.9%

$314,013 (2024) → $398,598 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+26.9%

$356,333 (2024) → $452,317 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Cookeville or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median radiologist salary at $474,933/year, compared to Cookeville at $418,528/year — a difference of $56,405 (13.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cookeville and Memphis?

Cookeville radiologists earn $201.21/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $228.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cookeville to Memphis as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cookeville and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cookeville = $455,913, Memphis = $517,356), job availability (7 vs 122 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Cookeville vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $242,746 in Cookeville and $275,461 in Memphis. The Memphis 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