Radiologist Pay

Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Romeoville, IL: $238,208 (2026)

Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Romeoville, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $238,208 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Romeoville's local price level (BEA RPP 97.13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $245,322 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($410,704) within a few years of clinical practice.

$238,208
Starting Salary
$114.52/hr
Starting Hourly
$238,208
Entry Level
$410,704
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Radiologist Entry Level Salary in Romeoville, IL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Romeoville, IL radiologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For new graduates entering the field of radiology in Romeoville, expectations regarding starting pay can be quite varied. With a projected entry-level radiologist salary in 2026 set at $238,208, it’s essential for early-career professionals to recognize that this figure is significantly lower than the city's median salary of $410,704. New graduates can anticipate a gradual increase in earnings over the initial years of their careers. For instance, as they advance through the early stages of their professional journey, they might expect to earn around $295,707 and potentially reach the city’s median within a few years, supported by the anticipated growth rate of 5.00%. Overall, Romeoville appears to be a promising market for new doctors as they begin their careers in radiology, especially when considering both salary potential and job availability.

About the Romeoville Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($390,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Romeoville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$238,208/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$295,707/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$410,704/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$488,181/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Romeoville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologists in Romeoville. The median salary is $410,704, compared to the national median of $441,903.$214.4K$308.5K$402.6K$496.8K$590.9K$238.2K10th Pctl$295.7K25th Pctl$410.7KMedian$488.2K75th Pctl$562.8K90th PctlUS Median$441.9K

Entry-level radiologists in Romeoville, IL typically start between $238,208 and $295,707 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $324,552 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $410,7047.06% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of radiologist pay in the Romeoville metro area.

Return on Investment

$340,000
Avg IL Program Cost
$238,208
Starting Salary
142.73%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.4 yr
Payback Estimate

The average radiology program cost in Illinois of $340,000 represents just 142.73% of the starting radiologist pay ($238,208/year) in Romeoville. 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 Romeoville

  • 1Research the Romeoville market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $238,208 to $295,707, 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 IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Romeoville, 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 Romeoville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Romeoville'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 Romeoville is $324,552 ( 136.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $238,208, experienced hygienists can earn up to $562,760.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2021 BLS Actual

$200,791

2025 BLS Actual

$226,865

2026 Current Est.

$238,208

2021–2027 Growth

+24.6%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Romeoville (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for radiologists in Romeoville. Baseline $200,791 in 2025, projected to $250,119 by 2027.$187.2K$205.6K$223.9K$242.3K$260.6K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$200.8K$197.7K$203.3K$210.2K$226.9K$238.2K$250.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$200,791Actual
2022$197,707Actual
2023$203,289Actual
2024$210,230Actual
2025$226,865Actual
2026(current)$238,208Estimated
2027$250,119Projected

Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Romeoville, IL grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $200,791 in 2021 to $226,865 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $250,119. New graduates entering the Romeoville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Romeoville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Romeoville

New graduates looking for vacancies should target employers that actively hire early-career radiologists in Romeoville; academic medical centers generally provide a breadth of subspecialty opportunities and fellowship access. Large private partnerships, which typically recruit directly from residency programs, can lead to significant earnings within just a few years. Moreover, fellowships in specialized areas may improve starting salaries significantly. Credentials such as holding an MD or DO, completing a diagnostic radiology residency, achieving ABR board certification, and optionally pursuing additional fellowship training will be advantageous. In the first three years of employment, radiologists typically see growth in remuneration by aligning with prevalent models, either in W-2 hospital positions or in private partnerships, consistently averaging between $400,000 to $550,000 or more as they gain experience and seniority. Moreover, understanding recent changes such as private equity acquisitions might influence career trajectories, helping recent graduates navigate their paths effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for radiologists in Romeoville in 2026?

Entry-level radiologists in Romeoville start at approximately $238,208/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.00% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $114.52/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do radiologist salaries grow in Romeoville?

Most radiologists in Romeoville progress from the entry-level salary of $238,208 to the area median of $410,704 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $562,760 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is radiology school worth it in Romeoville?

With a starting salary of $238,208/year in Romeoville and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new radiologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new radiologists make right out of school in Romeoville?

New radiology graduates in Romeoville typically start near the 10th percentile at $238,208/year, or approximately $114.52/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a radiologist in Illinois?

To become a licensed radiologist in Illinois, you typically need md or do degree (4 years), 1-year internship, 4-year diagnostic radiology residency (acgme-accredited), american board of radiology (abr) board certification. optional 1-2 year subspecialty fellowships in interventional radiology, neuroradiology, breast imaging, body imaging, musculoskeletal, pediatric, or nuclear medicine., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Illinois, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some radiologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Illinois

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

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 Romeoville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Romeoville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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