Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Tulsa, OK: $64,187 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Tulsa, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,187 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tulsa's local price level (BEA RPP 89.2 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,947 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,570) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

For new graduates entering the field of radiology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the starting salary for an entry-level position is projected to be around $64,187 in 2026. This figure presents a noteworthy gap when compared to the local median annual salary of $83,570. New entrants can expect to see gradual growth over their initial years; the pathway often leads from this starting pay to the 25th percentile salary of $64,187 and closer to the median as they gain experience and refine their skills. With a 5.00% annual growth rate projected for this profession, Tulsa proves to be a favorable market for recent graduates, especially considering the cost of living is below the national average, making the starting radiologist salary in Tulsa more viable than in many other regions.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tulsa
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 Tulsa
Entry-level radiologists in Tulsa, OK typically start between $64,187 and $64,187 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $46,819 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,570 — 81.09% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Oklahoma of $225,000 represents just 350.54% of the starting radiologist pay ($64,187/year) in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa
- 1Research the Tulsa market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $64,187 to $64,187, 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 Tulsa, 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 Tulsa for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tulsa'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 Tulsa is $46,819 ( 72.94%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,187, experienced hygienists can earn up to $111,006.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$54,104
2025 BLS Actual
$61,130
2026 Current Est.
$64,187
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Tulsa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $54,104 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,777 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,187 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,396 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Tulsa, OK grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,104 in 2021 to $61,130 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,396. New graduates entering the Tulsa job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Employers in Tulsa offer various opportunities for new radiology graduates, ranging from academic medical centers to large private group practices. Academic institutions typically provide comprehensive fellowship pipelines and are well-positioned to hire residents straight out of training. In contrast, significant private partnerships tend to recruit from residency programs, presenting a clear pathway to partnership within 2-3 years of beginning employment. Additionally, teleradiology firms have emerged as a viable option for those looking for flexibility and a remote-first lifestyle. To enhance starting pay, credentials such as an MD or DO degree, completion of a diagnostic radiology residency, and ABR board certification are critical. The first few years in this field will require graduates to strategically position themselves, whether that means pursuing subspecialty fellowships or exploring different employment models—private partnership incomes can surpass $500,000, while hospital employment typically falls between $400,000 and $550,000. Over the first few years in this competitive environment, new grads can realistically anticipate steady salary increases as they establish themselves in the local market.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Tulsa. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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