Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Winston, NC: $81,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Winston, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,701 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Winston's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $88,764 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($333,113) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates in radiology entering the workforce in Winston, NC, can expect to start their careers with a salary around $81,701 as of 2026. This entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $333,113, indicating a substantial gap for newcomers. However, there is potential for growth in earnings over the first few years. As radiologists gain experience and possibly move up to the 25th percentile salary of $179,865, they can see a gradual increase toward the median as they establish their practice and skills in the field. Given the favorable annual growth rate of 5.00%, Winston appears to be a reasonable market for recent graduates eager to enter the medical imaging profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Winston
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 Winston
Entry-level radiologists in Winston, NC typically start between $81,701 and $179,865 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $289,632 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $333,113 — 24.62% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in North Carolina of $240,000 represents just 293.75% of the starting radiologist pay ($81,701/year) in Winston. 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 Winston
- 1Research the Winston market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $81,701 to $179,865, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Winston, 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 Winston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Winston'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 Winston is $289,632 ( 354.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,701, experienced hygienists can earn up to $371,333.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 Est.
$68,867
2025 BLS Actual
$77,810
2026 Current Est.
$81,701
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Winston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: estimated from national BLS trend. 2025: local BLS actual. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $68,867 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,809 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,724 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,786 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation in Winston, NC is projected to grow at 5.00% annually. By 2027, starting salaries could reach $85,786, up $16,919 from the estimated 2021 value. New graduates entering the Winston job market can expect steady year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2024) are estimated from national BLS OEWS trends. The 2025 figure is sourced directly from the BLS OEWS survey. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.00% CAGR derived from national BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your radiology Career in Winston
Employers in the Winston area that actively hire newly graduated radiologists include local hospitals, academic medical centers, and private radiology groups. Academic institutions often provide extensive fellowship opportunities, promoting a broad range of subspecialty experiences for recent graduates, while larger private groups may hire directly from residency and offer tracked partnership paths that typically take 2-3 years. To enhance their entry-level radiologist salary in Winston, new graduates should focus on obtaining board certification from the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and consider additional fellowship training, which can significantly enhance their marketability and starting pay in NC. As the industry has evolved, particularly with the influence of private equity in radiology firms, it’s crucial for new radiologists to strategically position themselves in the job market, understanding the dynamics between W-2 employment and potential partnership opportunities to ensure their career trajectory aligns with their financial goals.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
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 Winston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
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