Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Altus, OK: $216,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Altus, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $216,025 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Altus's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $242,998 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($372,457) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates seeking entry-level radiologist positions in Altus, Oklahoma should prepare for a starting salary around $216,025 in 2026. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $372,457, new grads can expect a progressive career path that may lead to earnings in the neighborhood of $268,169 after gaining a few years of experience. The potential for growth is solid, with entry-level pay showing a clear trajectory that could culminate in the median salary within the first three to five years. Given the positive salary forecast and a promising 5.00% annual growth rate, Altus can be considered a viable market for new graduate radiologists looking to launch their careers.
About the Altus Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($345,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Altus
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 Altus
Entry-level radiologists in Altus, OK typically start between $216,025 and $268,169 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $292,897 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $372,457 — 15.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Oklahoma of $225,000 represents just 104.15% of the starting radiologist pay ($216,025/year) in Altus. 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 Altus
- 1Research the Altus market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $216,025 to $268,169, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Altus, 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 Altus for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Altus'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 Altus is $292,897 ( 135.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $216,025, experienced hygienists can earn up to $508,922.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$182,092
2025 BLS Actual
$205,738
2026 Current Est.
$216,025
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Altus (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $182,092 | Actual |
| 2022 | $179,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $184,358 | Actual |
| 2024 | $168,654 | Actual |
| 2025 | $205,738 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $216,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $226,826 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Altus, OK grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $182,092 in 2021 to $205,738 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $226,826. New graduates entering the Altus job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altus 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 Altus
For those entering the field in Altus, understanding the local job market is crucial. Key employers in the area—such as hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers—often provide onboarding opportunities that favor those with a robust educational background, including an MD or DO degree, completion of a diagnostic radiology residency, and ABR board certification. Participating in continuing education can further enhance starting pay in Oklahoma. New hires may find their initial salaries impacted by the type of practice they join: while hospital employment typically offers W-2 roles with more stability and a starting range sometimes around $400k, private partnerships may present escalated earning potentials, often leading to higher long-term compensation as they progress toward partnership. Salary growth expectations can vary widely, but with strategic job choices and additional training or fellowship opportunities, new radiologists in Altus have the potential to achieve significant financial advancement as they solidify their professional standing in a competitively evolving field.
More salary data for Altus, OK:
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 Altus. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Altus 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