Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Macon, GA: $260,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Macon, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $260,960 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Macon's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $280,301 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($449,931) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the radiology field in Macon, Georgia, the entry-level radiologist salary is projected to start at around $260,960 in 2026. This initial pay represents a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $449,931. Over the first few years of their careers, aspiring radiologists can expect a steady progression. As they gain experience, their earnings could rise to the 25th percentile at $323,950, approaching the median with time and increased expertise. Given this growth trajectory, Macon appears to be a promising market for newly minted radiologists, offering a supportive environment to advance in a field that sees a 5.00% expected annual growth in salaries.
About the Macon Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Macon
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 Macon
Entry-level radiologists in Macon, GA typically start between $260,960 and $323,950 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $377,857 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $449,931 — 1.82% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Georgia of $250,000 represents just 95.80% of the starting radiologist pay ($260,960/year) in Macon. 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 Macon
- 1Research the Macon market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $260,960 to $323,950, 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 GA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Macon, 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 Macon for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Macon's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Radiologist Compensation Range
The radiologist wage spread in Macon is $377,857 ( 144.79%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $260,960, experienced hygienists can earn up to $638,817.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$219,969
2025 BLS Actual
$248,533
2026 Current Est.
$260,960
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Macon (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $219,969 | Actual |
| 2022 | $216,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $222,705 | Actual |
| 2024 | $191,711 | Actual |
| 2025 | $248,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $260,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $274,008 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Macon, GA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $219,969 in 2021 to $248,533 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $274,008. New graduates entering the Macon job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Macon 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 Macon
In Macon, various employers actively seek to hire entry-level radiologists, providing a range of opportunities from academic medical centers to larger private practices. Academic settings usually offer exposure to a broader spectrum of subspecialties along with established fellowship pipelines. In contrast, private partnerships often prefer to bring in new graduates from residency training, facilitating a traditional 2-3 year path towards partnership roles. Further contributing to a new grad’s compensation, obtaining relevant credentials such as ABR board certification, securing a DEA registration, and possibly completing a 1-2 year subspecialty fellowship can significantly impact starting pay. Over the first 1-3 years, radiologists can anticipate realistic salary growth in this market, aligning more with the hospital W-2 employment route, which typically averages around $400k-$550k, contrasting with private practice paths that can yield much higher earnings depending on the productivity models adopted.
More salary data for Macon, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for radiologists in Macon in 2026?
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Is radiology school worth it in Macon?
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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 Macon. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Macon 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