Radiologist Pay

Joplin vs St. Louis: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Joplin, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Joplin, MO
$383,880
$184.56/hr
St. Louis, MO
$492,303
$236.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJoplin, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$383,880$492,303
Hourly Rate$184.56$236.68
Entry Level (P10)$222,650$158,813
25th Percentile$276,394$287,343
75th Percentile$468,274$492,303
Top Earner (P90)$550,564$533,001
Total Employed8170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Joplin ($383,880) and St. Louis ($492,303) radiologist salaries.JoplinSt. LouisMedian Salary$383,880$492,303Entry Level (P10)$222,650$158,813Top Earner (P90)$550,564$533,001US Median $441,903

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Joplin.

The salary gap between Joplin and St. Louis is $108,423 (28.24%). St. Louis's median is +11.41% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Joplin spans $327,914,St. Louis spans $374,188. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Joplin
P10 (Entry)$222,650
P25$276,394
Median$383,880
P75$468,274
P90 (Top)$550,564
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$158,813
P25$287,343
Median$492,303
P75$492,303
P90 (Top)$533,001

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($517,734 effective) pays 20.84% more than Joplin ($428,438 effective).

Joplin
Nominal: $383,880
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $428,438
St. Louis
Nominal: $492,303
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $517,734

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Joplin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($550,564)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($492,303/year)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $517,734)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Joplin grew 16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.2% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Joplin, MO

+16.9%

$312,731 (2024) → $365,600 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+40.2%

$334,366 (2024) → $468,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Joplin or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median radiologist salary at $492,303/year, compared to Joplin at $383,880/year — a difference of $108,423 (28.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Joplin and St. Louis?

Joplin radiologists earn $184.56/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $236.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Joplin to St. Louis as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Joplin and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Joplin = $428,438, St. Louis = $517,734), job availability (8 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Joplin vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $222,650 in Joplin and $158,813 in St. Louis. The Joplin 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