Radiologist Pay

Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Baltimore, MD: $98,175 (2026)

Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Baltimore, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $98,175 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Baltimore's local price level (BEA RPP 104.54% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $93,959 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($610,586) within a few years of clinical practice.

$98,175
Starting Salary
$47.20/hr
Starting Hourly
$98,175
Entry Level
$610,586
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

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

The entry-level radiologist salary in Baltimore, Maryland, presents promising opportunities for recent graduates in 2026. New grads starting in this metropolitan area can expect initial compensation around $98,175, which serves as a starting point that may feel modest compared to the city’s median salary of $610,586. Graduates in their early careers can anticipate a progressive trajectory in their earnings, with realistic expectations of reaching approximately $184,674 within a couple of years, forward toward the median as they gain experience and skills. Baltimore remains a favorable market for aspiring radiologists, especially with its expanding medical community and the diverse avenues for professional growth.

Career Earnings Timeline in Baltimore

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$98,175/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$184,674/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$610,586/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$610,607/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologists in Baltimore. The median salary is $610,586, compared to the national median of $441,903.$88.4K$226.6K$364.8K$503.1K$641.3K$98.2K10th Pctl$184.7K25th Pctl$610.6KMedian$610.6K75th Pctl$610.8K90th PctlUS Median$441.9K

Entry-level radiologists in Baltimore, MD typically start between $98,175 and $184,674 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $512,589 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $610,58638.17% above the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$320,000
Avg MD Program Cost
$98,175
Starting Salary
325.95%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
3.3 yrs
Payback Estimate

The average radiology program cost in Maryland of $320,000 represents just 325.95% of the starting radiologist pay ($98,175/year) in Baltimore. 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 Baltimore

  • 1Research the Baltimore market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $98,175 to $184,674, 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 MD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Baltimore, 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 Baltimore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Baltimore'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 Baltimore is $512,589 ( 522.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $98,175, experienced hygienists can earn up to $610,764.

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

2021 BLS Actual

$61,340

2025 BLS Actual

$93,500

2026 Current Est.

$98,175

2021–2027 Growth

+68.1%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Baltimore (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 Baltimore. Baseline $61,340 in 2025, projected to $103,084 by 2027.$53.0K$67.6K$82.2K$96.8K$111.4K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$61.3K$63.7K$65.0K$70.2K$93.5K$98.2K$103.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$61,340Actual
2022$63,660Actual
2023$64,980Actual
2024$70,150Actual
2025$93,500Actual
2026(current)$98,175Estimated
2027$103,084Projected

Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Baltimore, MD grew 52.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,340 in 2021 to $93,500 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $103,084. New graduates entering the Baltimore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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 Baltimore

Entering the radiology field often means aligning with strong employers such as academic medical centers, which provide not only a broad spectrum of subspecialty training but also fellowship paths that facilitate long-term career advancement. Large private partnerships favor recent residents, setting them on paths toward partnership roles within 2-3 years, while teleradiology firms offer a growing demand for fellowship-trained radiologists seeking flexibility in their work-life balance. To enhance starting pay in MD, obtaining the appropriate licensing and board certifications, such as ABR board certification, is critical, alongside pursuing optional fellowships that may be advantageous. Career strategies for new graduates should consider the bifurcation of practice settings—between private partnerships typically yielding significant compensation versus hospital-based positions that offer stability. New radiologists can realistically expect their salaries to increase steadily over the first three years as they adapt to productivity models and contribute to group RVUs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level radiologists in Baltimore start at approximately $98,175/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 $47.20/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 Baltimore?

Most radiologists in Baltimore progress from the entry-level salary of $98,175 to the area median of $610,586 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $610,764 (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 Baltimore?

With a starting salary of $98,175/year in Baltimore 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 Baltimore?

New radiology graduates in Baltimore typically start near the 10th percentile at $98,175/year, or approximately $47.20/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 Maryland?

To become a licensed radiologist in Maryland, 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland

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

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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

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