Radiologist Pay

Los Angeles vs Vista: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$513,104
$246.69/hr
Vista, CA
$512,524
$246.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAVista, CA
Median Salary$513,104$512,524
Hourly Rate$246.69$246.40
Entry Level (P10)$101,241$297,263
25th Percentile$102,984$369,017
75th Percentile$521,630$623,519
Top Earner (P90)$521,630$733,793
Total Employed31024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($513,104) and Vista ($512,524) radiologist salaries.Los AngelesVistaMedian Salary$513,104$512,524Entry Level (P10)$101,241$297,263Top Earner (P90)$521,630$733,793US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Vista is $580 (0.11%). Los Angeles's median is +16.11% 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,Vista spans $436,530. Vista 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
Vista
P10 (Entry)$297,263
P25$369,017
Median$512,524
P75$623,519
P90 (Top)$733,793

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vista ($453,160 effective) pays 0.30% more than Los Angeles ($451,811 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $513,104
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $451,811
Vista
Nominal: $512,524
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $453,160

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($513,104/year)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vista if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($733,793)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $453,160)
  • 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 Vista over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-10.9%

$548,633 (2024) → $488,670 (2025)

Vista, CA

+-6.5%

$521,915 (2024) → $488,118 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Los Angeles or Vista?

Los Angeles has a higher median radiologist salary at $513,104/year, compared to Vista at $512,524/year — a difference of $580 (0.11%).

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

Los Angeles radiologists earn $246.69/hr while Vista hygienists earn $246.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Vista. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $451,811, Vista = $453,160), job availability (310 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $101,241 in Los Angeles and $297,263 in Vista. The Vista 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