Radiologist Pay

Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Jackson, MS: $242,947 (2026)

Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Jackson, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $242,947 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jackson's local price level (BEA RPP 85.714% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $283,485 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($418,874) within a few years of clinical practice.

$242,947
Starting Salary
$116.80/hr
Starting Hourly
$242,947
Entry Level
$418,874
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

New graduates entering the field of radiology in Jackson, Mississippi, should anticipate a starting salary around $242,947 in 2026. While this initial figure may seem modest compared to the city’s median radiologist salary of $418,874, new grads can expect to see substantial growth in their earnings within the first few years of practice. Over time, entry-level professionals typically see their compensation rise from the P10 estimate through the P25 mark of $301,589, paving the way toward the median. Given the current trends in radiology and the projected 5.00% annual growth rate, Jackson presents a relatively promising market for new entrants, particularly for those who strategically position themselves within the healthcare landscape.

A variety of healthcare employers in Jackson are actively seeking newly graduated radiologists, which may provide several opportunities for recent residents. Academic medical centers often recruit new grads due to the extensive training and fellowship pipelines they offer, while large private partnerships typically bring on residents with a pathway to partnership after 2-3 years. Teleradiology firms are also a growing option for those pursuing a remote-first lifestyle and are often open to hiring fellowship-trained radiologists. To enhance their starting pay in MS, new graduates should focus on obtaining board certification through the ABR and consider pursuing optional subspecialty fellowships. These credentials, combined with understanding the evolving landscape between private partnerships with projected salaries between $500k-$700k, hospital W-2 employment averaging $400k-$550k, and the lucrative subspecialty in interventional radiology often exceeding $700k, can equip new graduates for successful careers while setting realistic salary growth expectations in their formative years.

About the Jackson Market

Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($320,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Jackson

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$242,947/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$301,589/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$418,874/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$500,491/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologists in Jackson. The median salary is $418,874, compared to the national median of $441,903.$218.7K$325.1K$431.5K$538.0K$644.4K$242.9K10th Pctl$301.6K25th Pctl$418.9KMedian$500.5K75th Pctl$613.7K90th PctlUS Median$441.9K

Entry-level radiologists in Jackson, MS typically start between $242,947 and $301,589 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $370,779 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $418,8745.21% below the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$215,000
Avg MS Program Cost
$242,947
Starting Salary
88.50%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average radiology program cost in Mississippi of $215,000 represents just 88.50% of the starting radiologist pay ($242,947/year) in Jackson. 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 Jackson

  • 1Research the Jackson market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $242,947 to $301,589, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jackson, 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 Jackson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Jackson'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 Jackson is $370,779 ( 152.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $242,947, experienced hygienists can earn up to $613,726.

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

2021 BLS Actual

$23,540

2025 BLS Actual

$231,378

2026 Current Est.

$242,947

2021–2027 Growth

+983.7%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Jackson (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 Jackson. Baseline $23,540 in 2025, projected to $255,094 by 2027.$-22,771$58.3K$139.3K$220.4K$301.4K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$23.5K$201.6K$207.3K$160.4K$231.4K$242.9K$255.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$23,540Actual
2022$201,640Actual
2023$207,333Actual
2024$160,438Actual
2025$231,378Actual
2026(current)$242,947Estimated
2027$255,094Projected

Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Jackson, MS grew 882.9% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,540 in 2021 to $231,378 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $255,094. New graduates entering the Jackson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level radiologists in Jackson start at approximately $242,947/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 $116.80/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 Jackson?

Most radiologists in Jackson progress from the entry-level salary of $242,947 to the area median of $418,874 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $613,726 (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 Jackson?

With a starting salary of $242,947/year in Jackson 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 Jackson?

New radiology graduates in Jackson typically start near the 10th percentile at $242,947/year, or approximately $116.80/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 Mississippi?

To become a licensed radiologist in Mississippi, 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 Mississippi, 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 Mississippi

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

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Jackson is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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