Radiologist Pay

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 89.211% 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.

$64,187
Starting Salary
$30.86/hr
Starting Hourly
$64,187
Entry Level
$83,570
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Radiologist Entry Level Salary in Tulsa, OK — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Tulsa, OK radiologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$64,187/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$64,187/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$83,570/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$83,570/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologists in Tulsa. The median salary is $83,570, compared to the national median of $441,903.$57.8K$159.3K$260.9K$362.4K$464.0K$64.2K10th Pctl$64.2K25th Pctl$83.6KMedian$83.6K75th Pctl$111.0K90th PctlUS Median$441.9K

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 $83,57081.09% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of radiologist pay in the Tulsa metro area.

Return on Investment

$225,000
Avg OK Program Cost
$64,187
Starting Salary
350.54%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
3.5 yrs
Payback Estimate

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for radiologists in Tulsa. Baseline $54,104 in 2025, projected to $67,396 by 2027.$27.0K$73.0K$119.0K$165.0K$210.9K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$54.1K$53.3K$54.8K$184.7K$61.1K$64.2K$67.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$54,104Actual
2022$53,273Actual
2023$54,777Actual
2024$184,669Actual
2025$61,130Actual
2026(current)$64,187Estimated
2027$67,396Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for radiologists in Tulsa in 2026?

Entry-level radiologists in Tulsa start at approximately $64,187/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.00% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $30.86/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do radiologist salaries grow in Tulsa?

Most radiologists in Tulsa progress from the entry-level salary of $64,187 to the area median of $83,570 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $111,006 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is radiology school worth it in Tulsa?

With a starting salary of $64,187/year in Tulsa and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new radiologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new radiologists make right out of school in Tulsa?

New radiology graduates in Tulsa typically start near the 10th percentile at $64,187/year, or approximately $30.86/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a radiologist in Oklahoma?

To become a licensed radiologist in Oklahoma, you typically need md or do degree (4 years), 1-year internship, 4-year diagnostic radiology residency (acgme-accredited), american board of radiology (abr) board certification. optional 1-2 year subspecialty fellowships in interventional radiology, neuroradiology, breast imaging, body imaging, musculoskeletal, pediatric, or nuclear medicine., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Oklahoma, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some radiologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Oklahoma

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Rajesh Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Lisa Gonzalez, MD

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

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