Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Lakewood, CO: $269,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Lakewood, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $269,321 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lakewood's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $256,496 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($464,346) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of radiology in Lakewood, Colorado, can expect an entry-level radiologist salary around $269,321, which represents the lower tenth percentile for this profession. This initial pay differs significantly from the city's median salary of $464,346, indicating that while new entrants may face a considerable gap, they have the potential to see substantial growth in their earnings within the first few years. The salary trajectory offers a promising outlook, with opportunities for new graduates to advance their pay to approximately $334,328 at the 25th percentile within a few years, moving toward the median as they accumulate experience and expertise. Given this upward potential and the 5.00% annual growth rate in the industry, Lakewood presents a favorable market for recent graduates looking to establish themselves in radiology.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($390,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lakewood
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 Lakewood
Entry-level radiologists in Lakewood, CO typically start between $269,321 and $334,328 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $403,602 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $464,346 — 5.08% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Colorado of $280,000 represents just 103.97% of the starting radiologist pay ($269,321/year) in Lakewood. 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 Lakewood
- 1Research the Lakewood market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $269,321 to $334,328, 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 CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lakewood, 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 Lakewood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lakewood's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Radiologist Compensation Range
The radiologist wage spread in Lakewood is $403,602 ( 149.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $269,321, experienced hygienists can earn up to $672,923.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$227,017
2025 BLS Actual
$256,496
2026 Current Est.
$269,321
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $227,017 | Actual |
| 2022 | $223,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $229,841 | Actual |
| 2024 | $237,687 | Actual |
| 2025 | $256,496 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $269,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $282,787 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Lakewood, CO grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $227,017 in 2021 to $256,496 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $282,787. New graduates entering the Lakewood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Employers in the Lakewood area actively recruit new grads, with a mix of academic medical centers and large private partnerships being the most common. Academic centers provide broad subspecialty exposure and strong fellowship pipelines, whereas private partnerships often hire directly out of residency, offering a pathway to significant compensation down the line. To enhance starting pay in Colorado, it's essential for new radiologists to hold an MD or DO degree, complete a five-year diagnostic radiology residency, and achieve ABR board certification, with additional fellowships or DEA registration potentially offering an edge. As career paths become more polarized between private partnerships and hospital employment—often ranging from $400k to $700k and higher in subspecialty areas—new graduates should consider their options carefully during their first three years. Building productivity through RVU models and actively engaging with resources like the ACR can provide insights and networking opportunities that propel entry-level radiologists in the Lakewood area toward their career goals.
More salary data for Lakewood, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Lakewood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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