Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Houma, LA: $242,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Houma, LA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $242,767 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Houma's local price level (BEA RPP 90.3 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $268,845 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($418,565) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field of radiology in Houma, Louisiana, can anticipate a starting salary of around $242,767 in 2026. This figure significantly trails the city's median annual salary of $418,565, highlighting the initial income gap many new grads face as they embark on their careers. However, this starting point presents a clear path for growth: with experience, these physicians can expect to move towards a 25th percentile salary of $301,367 and eventually reach the median as they accumulate skills and experience over the first three to five years. Given the projected 5.00% annual growth rate for this profession and the relatively lower cost of living index in Houma, now is a favorable time for entry-level radiologists to explore job opportunities in the area.
About the Houma Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($340,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Houma
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 Houma
Entry-level radiologists in Houma, LA typically start between $242,767 and $301,367 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $313,678 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $418,565 — 5.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Louisiana of $230,000 represents just 94.74% of the starting radiologist pay ($242,767/year) in Houma. 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 Houma
- 1Research the Houma market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $242,767 to $301,367, 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 LA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Houma, 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 Houma for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Houma'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 Houma is $313,678 ( 129.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $242,767, experienced hygienists can earn up to $556,445.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$204,634
2025 BLS Actual
$231,207
2026 Current Est.
$242,767
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Houma (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $204,634 | Actual |
| 2022 | $201,491 | Actual |
| 2023 | $207,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $231,207 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $242,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $254,906 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Houma, LA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $204,634 in 2021 to $231,207 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $254,906. New graduates entering the Houma job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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 Houma
Employers in Houma that hire newly graduated radiologists include both academic medical centers and large private practices, creating a variety of career opportunities. Typically, academic institutions provide essential fellowship pathways, while private partnerships often recruit directly from residency programs, allowing new radiologists to ascend rapidly in their careers. To improve starting salaries in Louisiana, credentials such as an MD or DO degree, completion of a diagnostic radiology residency, and ABR board certification are essential. New physicians should also consider continuing education and potential fellowship training as strategies to enhance their earning potential. The industry context reflects a shift towards private equity acquisitions in radiology groups, complicating partnership tracks since 2018. By engaging in these dynamics and understanding the differences between W-2 employment and private practice, new grad radiologists can realistically navigate salary growth expectations during their first several years in practice.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
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 Houma. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Houma 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