Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $111,300 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the San Francisco, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $111,300 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out San Francisco's local price level (BEA RPP 115.6 — 16% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $96,269 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($111,300) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In the competitive job market of San Francisco, the entry-level radiologist salary is projected to start at around $111,300 in 2026. This aligns with the city's median annual salary, indicating that new graduates can expect to earn roughly the same amount as their more experienced peers at the outset of their careers. However, there is a significant growth trajectory to consider; over the first three to five years, early-career radiologists may ascend from this starting point to around $141,152, ultimately working their way toward the median of $111,300. Given the city's vibrant healthcare landscape and a growth rate of 5.00%, it appears to be a promising market for fresh graduates looking to establish themselves in radiology.
Career Earnings Timeline in San Francisco
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
Entry-level radiologists in San Francisco, CA typically start between $111,300 and $111,300 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $481,908 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $111,300 — 74.81% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in California of $340,000 represents just 305.48% of the starting radiologist pay ($111,300/year) in San Francisco. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AAMC tuition reports for LCME-accredited MD programs and COCA-accredited DO programs plus ACGME-accredited diagnostic radiology residency data. Totals reflect 4 years of medical school tuition, fees, and living expenses. Residency is salaried but adds opportunity cost; subspecialty fellowships add 1-2 additional years.
MD, DO Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in San Francisco
- 1Research the San Francisco market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $111,300 to $111,300, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the radiology field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in San Francisco, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in San Francisco for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in San Francisco's above-average cost of living (index: 115.613) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Radiologist Compensation Range
The radiologist wage spread in San Francisco is $481,908 ( 432.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $111,300, experienced hygienists can earn up to $593,208.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$93,817
2025 BLS Actual
$106,000
2026 Current Est.
$111,300
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in San Francisco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $93,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,376 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,984 | Actual |
| 2024 | $320,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,300 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,865 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in San Francisco, CA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $93,817 in 2021 to $106,000 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $116,865. New graduates entering the San Francisco job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.00% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your radiology Career in San Francisco
Employers in San Francisco that often hire new grad radiologists include academic medical centers known for their diverse subspecialties and fellowship opportunities, along with large private partnerships that offer a pathway to partnership after several years. Additionally, teleradiology firms are increasingly seeking fellowship-trained radiologists for remote roles, creating varied employment opportunities. To enhance starting pay, candidates should focus on obtaining their MD or DO degree, completing a diagnostic radiology residency, and achieving ABR board certification. For those looking to further increase earning potential, pursuing a 1-2 year subspecialty fellowship can be beneficial. Early career strategies might also involve weighing the differences between joining a hospital system as a W-2 employee versus entering a partnership track. Current market dynamics reflect that private equity acquisitions have shifted the landscape for partnership opportunities since 2018. As entry-level salaries in 2026 are expected to be considerably lower than the national median of $441,903, radiologists can anticipate steady growth in their salaries within the first three years as they build their expertise.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new radiology graduates. A 5.00% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in San Francisco. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.00%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologists (SOC 29-1224).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed radiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov