Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Mason City, IA: $250,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Mason City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $250,234 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mason City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $276,808 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($431,438) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a new graduate entering the radiology field in Mason City, Iowa can expect an entry-level radiologist salary starting at approximately $250,234. Compared to the city median annual salary of $431,438, this figure reveals a significant gap, emphasizing the potential for growth early in one's career. Entry-level professionals may anticipate earning around $310,635 as they gain experience, which highlights a promising trajectory as they progress through their initial years. For graduates today, Mason City presents a favorable market, particularly considering the 5.00% annual growth rate projected for salaries in this region. This growth indicates that new practitioners can build a solid foundation while pursuing a rewarding career in radiology.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mason City
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 Mason City
Entry-level radiologists in Mason City, IA typically start between $250,234 and $310,635 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $331,963 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $431,438 — 2.37% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Iowa of $240,000 represents just 95.91% of the starting radiologist pay ($250,234/year) in Mason City. 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 Mason City
- 1Research the Mason City market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $250,234 to $310,635, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mason City, 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 Mason City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mason City'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 Mason City is $331,963 ( 132.66%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $250,234, experienced hygienists can earn up to $582,197.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$210,928
2025 BLS Actual
$238,318
2026 Current Est.
$250,234
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Mason City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $210,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $207,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $213,552 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,706 | Actual |
| 2025 | $238,318 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $250,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $262,746 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Mason City, IA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $210,928 in 2021 to $238,318 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $262,746. New graduates entering the Mason City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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 Mason City
From a practical standpoint, several employers in Mason City are known to hire new graduates in radiology. Academic medical centers often provide diverse exposure to subspecialties and mentorship opportunities, while larger private practices may offer a structured path toward partnership, typically hiring residents post-training. Additionally, teleradiology companies are increasingly a viable option for early-career radiologists, offering flexibility and competitive pay. To boost starting salaries, obtaining ABR board certification and considering subspecialty fellowships can be advantageous. For radiologists in their initial years, understanding the market dynamics can shape their career choices; the bifurcation between private partnerships and hospital employment has implications on earnings and job satisfaction. New physicians should realistically expect incremental salary increases as they solidify their positions, honing their skills in what remains a dynamic field within health care.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
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 Mason City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mason City 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