Radiologist Pay

Los Angeles vs Stockton: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Stockton, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$513,104
$246.69/hr
Stockton, CA
$514,350
$247.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAStockton, CA
Median Salary$513,104$514,350
Hourly Rate$246.69$247.29
Entry Level (P10)$101,241$298,323
25th Percentile$102,984$370,332
75th Percentile$521,630$632,295
Top Earner (P90)$521,630$754,349
Total Employed31071
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($513,104) and Stockton ($514,350) radiologist salaries.Los AngelesStocktonMedian Salary$513,104$514,350Entry Level (P10)$101,241$298,323Top Earner (P90)$521,630$754,349US Median $441,903

Verdict

Stockton, CA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Stockton is $1,246 (0.24%). Stockton's median is +16.39% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $420,389,Stockton spans $456,026. Stockton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$101,241
P25$102,984
Median$513,104
P75$521,630
P90 (Top)$521,630
Stockton
P10 (Entry)$298,323
P25$370,332
Median$514,350
P75$632,295
P90 (Top)$754,349

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stockton ($454,775 effective) pays 0.66% more than Los Angeles ($451,811 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $513,104
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $451,811
Stockton
Nominal: $514,350
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $454,775

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Stockton if…

  • Higher median salary ($514,350/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($754,349)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $454,775)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Los Angeles grew -10.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.5% growth in Stockton over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-10.9%

$548,633 (2024) → $488,670 (2025)

Stockton, CA

+-6.5%

$523,774 (2024) → $489,857 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Los Angeles or Stockton?

Stockton has a higher median radiologist salary at $514,350/year, compared to Los Angeles at $513,104/year — a difference of $1,246 (0.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Stockton?

Los Angeles radiologists earn $246.69/hr while Stockton hygienists earn $247.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Stockton as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Stockton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $451,811, Stockton = $454,775), job availability (310 vs 71 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Los Angeles vs Stockton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $101,241 in Los Angeles and $298,323 in Stockton. The Stockton 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