Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Portland, ME: $248,388 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Portland, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $248,388 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Portland's local price level (BEA RPP 101.9 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $243,857 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($607,142) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a newly graduated radiologist in Portland, Maine, can anticipate an entry-level salary starting at around $248,388. While this amount may be modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $607,142, it represents a viable entry point into a rewarding career. The potential for growth in the first few years is promising; entry-level professionals can look to gradually rise through the salary range as experience builds, with expectations to reach the 25th percentile of $607,110 shortly after commencement. For recent graduates considering their career trajectory, Portland remains an attractive market, especially given the competitive starting pay compared to the national median of $441,903, which is a substantial 37.39% less than local rates.
Career Earnings Timeline in Portland
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 Portland
Entry-level radiologists in Portland, ME typically start between $248,388 and $607,110 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $372,246 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $607,142 — 37.39% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Maine of $340,000 represents just 136.88% of the starting radiologist pay ($248,388/year) in Portland. 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 Portland
- 1Research the Portland market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $248,388 to $607,110, 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 ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Portland, 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 Portland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Portland'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 Portland is $372,246 ( 149.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $248,388, experienced hygienists can earn up to $620,634.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$209,372
2025 BLS Actual
$236,560
2026 Current Est.
$248,388
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Portland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $209,372 | Actual |
| 2022 | $206,156 | Actual |
| 2023 | $211,976 | Actual |
| 2024 | $206,104 | Actual |
| 2025 | $236,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $248,388 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $260,807 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Portland, ME grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $209,372 in 2021 to $236,560 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $260,807. New graduates entering the Portland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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 Portland
In the Portland area, major employers such as academic medical centers, large private practice partnerships, and teleradiology firms actively seek new graduate radiologists. These organizations may have different hiring frameworks; academic centers often provide fellowship pathways while private practices may offer structured partnership tracks that begin at 2-3 years post-residency. To enhance starting salaries in Maine, new grads should focus on earning board certifications through the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and consider further fellowship training, which can help leverage their skill sets better. Realistically, new graduates can anticipate a steady growth trajectory within their first three years, adjusting to the market's dynamics, including the bifurcation between W-2 employment and private partnerships. Understanding the implications of recent private equity acquisitions impacting partnership tracks will also be crucial for making informed career decisions in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 Portland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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