Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Kirkwood, MO: $227,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Kirkwood, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $227,758 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kirkwood's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $254,194 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($392,685) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the radiology field in Kirkwood, Missouri can expect a starting salary around $227,758 annually. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for new radiologists, with median earnings in the city projected at $392,685 in 2026. The gap between entry-level pay and the city median highlights the potential for substantial salary growth as new grads gain experience, particularly as they reach the 25th percentile at $282,734 and work towards the median. Given a steady growth trajectory of 5.00% per year, Kirkwood presents a viable market for recent graduates entering this competitive field, enabling them to steadily advance their careers and earning potential.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kirkwood
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 Kirkwood
Entry-level radiologists in Kirkwood, MO typically start between $227,758 and $282,734 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $313,299 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $392,685 — 11.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Missouri of $260,000 represents just 114.16% of the starting radiologist pay ($227,758/year) in Kirkwood. 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 Kirkwood
- 1Research the Kirkwood market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $227,758 to $282,734, 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 MO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kirkwood'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 Kirkwood is $313,299 ( 137.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $227,758, experienced hygienists can earn up to $541,057.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$191,982
2025 BLS Actual
$216,912
2026 Current Est.
$227,758
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Kirkwood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $191,982 | Actual |
| 2022 | $189,033 | Actual |
| 2023 | $194,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $185,544 | Actual |
| 2025 | $216,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $227,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $239,145 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Kirkwood, MO grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $191,982 in 2021 to $216,912 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $239,145. New graduates entering the Kirkwood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood
In terms of employment opportunities, academic medical centers in Kirkwood frequently hire new graduates for positions that foster clinical experience and continued education. These institutions often provide pathways to specialized fellowships, enhancing credentials necessary for a successful long-term career. Moreover, teleradiology firms are appealing for those seeking flexibility, often offering positions to fellowship-trained radiologists for remote work. To increase entry-level earnings in Missouri, candidates should strive for board certification through the ABR, complete subspecialty fellowships, and prioritize DEA registration. As radiology aligns more with private partnerships and less with traditional employment models, new grads should anticipate a range of salary growth opportunities based on their strategic choices in the first few years, including a mix of hospital W-2 employment and private practices. Over the initial years of their careers, those factors can substantially influence a radiologist's earnings trajectory in Kirkwood and beyond.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
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 Kirkwood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kirkwood 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