Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $223,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Los Alamos, NM job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $223,003 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Los Alamos's local price level (BEA RPP 94.4 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $236,232 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($384,489) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the radiology field in Los Alamos, the starting radiologist salary is projected to be around $223,003 in 2026. This amount reflects significant growth potential, as entry-level radiologists can expect their earnings to increase over the first few years, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile and approaching the median salary of $384,489. Aspiring radiologists should understand that while the entry-level pay may seem lower than anticipated, there are ample opportunities for advancement within a few years, particularly in this growing market. Given that the overall projected median salary is about 12.99% lower than the national median of $441,903, graduates should supplement their income by exploring various practice settings and specialty areas that may offer better compensation.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($350,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Los Alamos
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 Los Alamos
Entry-level radiologists in Los Alamos, NM typically start between $223,003 and $276,833 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $296,216 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $384,489 — 12.99% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in New Mexico of $225,000 represents just 100.90% of the starting radiologist pay ($223,003/year) in Los Alamos. 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 Los Alamos
- 1Research the Los Alamos market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $223,003 to $276,833, 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 NM often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Los Alamos, 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 Los Alamos for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Los Alamos'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 Los Alamos is $296,216 ( 132.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $223,003, experienced hygienists can earn up to $519,219.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$187,975
2025 BLS Actual
$212,384
2026 Current Est.
$223,003
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Los Alamos (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $187,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $185,087 | Actual |
| 2023 | $190,313 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,625 | Actual |
| 2025 | $212,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $223,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $234,153 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Los Alamos, NM grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $187,975 in 2021 to $212,384 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $234,153. New graduates entering the Los Alamos job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, potential employers for new grad radiologists include academic medical centers, which are often more willing to hire residents and provide pathways for subspecialty training through fellowships. Private radiology groups also tend to recruit fresh graduates, typically offering a structured progression towards partnership but may vary in pay scales based on productivity models. To boost their credentials and earning potential, early-career radiologists are encouraged to pursue board certification through the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and consider additional fellowship training in marketable subspecialties. The current trend in the field leans toward hospital W-2 employment with average salaries ranging from $400,000 to $550,000, while opportunities in private partnerships could yield earnings in the $500,000 to $700,000 range as they gain experience. As such, first-year salary advancement expectations in Los Alamos will heavily depend on the employment structure and additional certifications attained during those initial years.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
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 Los Alamos. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Los Alamos 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