Radiologist Pay

Park Ridge vs Rockford: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Park Ridge, IL and Rockford, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Park Ridge, IL
$412,569
$198.36/hr
Rockford, IL
$425,595
$204.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPark Ridge, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$412,569$425,595
Hourly Rate$198.36$204.61
Entry Level (P10)$239,290$246,846
25th Percentile$297,050$306,429
75th Percentile$477,096$526,059
Top Earner (P90)$568,901$623,851
Total Employed734
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Park Ridge ($412,569) and Rockford ($425,595) radiologist salaries.Park RidgeRockfordMedian Salary$412,569$425,595Entry Level (P10)$239,290$246,846Top Earner (P90)$568,901$623,851US Median $441,903

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Park Ridge.

The salary gap between Park Ridge and Rockford is $13,026 (3.16%). Rockford's median is -3.69% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Park Ridge spans $329,611,Rockford spans $377,005. Rockford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Park Ridge
P10 (Entry)$239,290
P25$297,050
Median$412,569
P75$477,096
P90 (Top)$568,901
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$246,846
P25$306,429
Median$425,595
P75$526,059
P90 (Top)$623,851

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($438,306 effective) pays 3.16% more than Park Ridge ($424,891 effective).

Park Ridge
Nominal: $412,569
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $424,891
Rockford
Nominal: $425,595
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $438,306

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Park Ridge if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($425,595/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($623,851)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $438,306)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Park Ridge grew 7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 164.6% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Park Ridge, IL

+7.9%

$364,111 (2024) → $392,923 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+164.6%

$153,200 (2021) → $405,329 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Park Ridge or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median radiologist salary at $425,595/year, compared to Park Ridge at $412,569/year — a difference of $13,026 (3.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Park Ridge and Rockford?

Park Ridge radiologists earn $198.36/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $204.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Park Ridge to Rockford as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Park Ridge and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Park Ridge = $424,891, Rockford = $438,306), job availability (7 vs 34 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Park Ridge vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $239,290 in Park Ridge and $246,846 in Rockford. The Rockford area offers higher starting salaries.
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