Radiologist Pay

Suffolk vs Virginia Beach: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Suffolk, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Suffolk, VA
$483,675
$232.53/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$528,815
$254.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSuffolk, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$483,675$528,815
Hourly Rate$232.53$254.24
Entry Level (P10)$280,532$306,712
25th Percentile$348,246$380,747
75th Percentile$569,764$645,967
Top Earner (P90)$705,842$768,545
Total Employed1597
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Suffolk ($483,675) and Virginia Beach ($528,815) radiologist salaries.SuffolkVirginia BeachMedian Salary$483,675$528,815Entry Level (P10)$280,532$306,712Top Earner (P90)$705,842$768,545US Median $441,903

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Suffolk.

The salary gap between Suffolk and Virginia Beach is $45,140 (9.33%). Virginia Beach's median is +19.67% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Suffolk spans $425,310,Virginia Beach spans $461,833. Virginia Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Suffolk
P10 (Entry)$280,532
P25$348,246
Median$483,675
P75$569,764
P90 (Top)$705,842
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$306,712
P25$380,747
Median$528,815
P75$645,967
P90 (Top)$768,545

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($512,418 effective) pays 9.33% more than Suffolk ($468,677 effective).

Suffolk
Nominal: $483,675
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $468,677
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $528,815
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $512,418

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Suffolk if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($528,815/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($768,545)
  • Larger job market (97 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $512,418)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Suffolk grew 19.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.5% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Suffolk, VA

+19.5%

$385,583 (2024) → $460,643 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+19.5%

$421,568 (2024) → $503,633 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Suffolk or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median radiologist salary at $528,815/year, compared to Suffolk at $483,675/year — a difference of $45,140 (9.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Suffolk and Virginia Beach?

Suffolk radiologists earn $232.53/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $254.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Suffolk to Virginia Beach as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Suffolk and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Suffolk = $468,677, Virginia Beach = $512,418), job availability (15 vs 97 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Suffolk vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $280,532 in Suffolk and $306,712 in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach 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