Radiologist Pay

Houston vs Sugar Land: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Houston, TX and Sugar Land, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$138,044
$66.37/hr
Sugar Land, TX
$423,002
$203.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSugar Land, TX
Median Salary$138,044$423,002
Hourly Rate$66.37$203.36
Entry Level (P10)$78,372$245,341
25th Percentile$84,504$304,561
75th Percentile$399,336$515,840
Top Earner (P90)$461,727$609,902
Total Employed50021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($138,044) and Sugar Land ($423,002) radiologist salaries.HoustonSugar LandMedian Salary$138,044$423,002Entry Level (P10)$78,372$245,341Top Earner (P90)$461,727$609,902US Median $441,903

Verdict

Sugar Land, TX offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houston.

The salary gap between Houston and Sugar Land is $284,958 (206.43%). Sugar Land's median is -4.28% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $383,355,Sugar Land spans $364,561. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$78,372
P25$84,504
Median$138,044
P75$399,336
P90 (Top)$461,727
Sugar Land
P10 (Entry)$245,341
P25$304,561
Median$423,002
P75$515,840
P90 (Top)$609,902

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sugar Land ($440,627 effective) pays 214.82% more than Houston ($139,963 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $138,044
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $139,963
Sugar Land
Nominal: $423,002
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $440,627

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Sugar Land if…

  • Higher median salary ($423,002/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($609,902)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $440,627)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Houston grew 29.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -1.0% growth in Sugar Land over the same period.

Houston, TX

+29.0%

$101,930 (2021) → $131,470 (2025)

Sugar Land, TX

+-1.0%

$406,822 (2024) → $402,859 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Houston or Sugar Land?

Sugar Land has a higher median radiologist salary at $423,002/year, compared to Houston at $138,044/year — a difference of $284,958 (206.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Sugar Land?

Houston radiologists earn $66.37/hr while Sugar Land hygienists earn $203.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Sugar Land as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Sugar Land. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $139,963, Sugar Land = $440,627), job availability (500 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Houston vs Sugar Land?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $78,372 in Houston and $245,341 in Sugar Land. The Sugar Land 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