Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $250,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the St. Cloud, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $250,605 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out St. Cloud's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $254,421 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($432,076) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates starting their careers as radiologists in St. Cloud, Minnesota, can expect an entry-level radiologist salary around $250,605. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $432,076, it reflects a common trajectory for early-career professionals. Over the first few years, entry-level radiologists can anticipate their earnings to increase. Progressing through the pay scale, many can look forward to salaries in the vicinity of $311,095 after a couple of years, enabling them to close the gap towards the median. Given the region's growth rate of 5.00% annually, this trajectory indicates that St. Cloud offers a promising environment for new graduates, especially for those willing to gain experience and build their professional reputation.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($400,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in St. Cloud
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 St. Cloud
Entry-level radiologists in St. Cloud, MN typically start between $250,605 and $311,095 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $372,401 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $432,076 — 2.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Minnesota of $300,000 represents just 119.71% of the starting radiologist pay ($250,605/year) in St. Cloud. 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 St. Cloud
- 1Research the St. Cloud market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $250,605 to $311,095, 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 MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5St. Cloud'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 St. Cloud is $372,401 ( 148.60%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $250,605, experienced hygienists can earn up to $623,006.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$211,240
2025 BLS Actual
$238,671
2026 Current Est.
$250,605
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in St. Cloud (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $211,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $207,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $213,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $226,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $238,671 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $250,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $263,135 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in St. Cloud, MN grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $211,240 in 2021 to $238,671 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $263,135. New graduates entering the St. Cloud job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Employers in the St. Cloud area that actively seek to hire new grad radiologists include academic medical centers and large private practices, both of which provide various opportunities for growth. These institutions not only offer exposure to diverse subspecialties but often have fellowship pipelines that cater to early-career radiologists. For those with a diagnostic radiology residency and ABR board certification, the pathway to enhancing entry-level pay involves obtaining relevant fellowships, which can boost starting salaries. Further, understanding the dynamics of the industry is crucial: radiologists often find themselves in a choice between lucrative private partnerships, which can lead to earnings between $500,000 and $700,000, and W-2 hospital employment typically offering $400,000 to $550,000. As new professionals embark on their careers in radiology, they should aim to solidify their skills in the first few years, anticipating salary growth and weighing options within the evolving landscape of the profession.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 St. Cloud. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Cloud 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