Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Cranston, RI: $251,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Cranston, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $251,959 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cranston's local price level (BEA RPP 100.5 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $250,705 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($434,412) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the radiology field in Cranston, Rhode Island, the entry-level radiologist salary is projected to start at around $251,959 in 2026. This starting pay positions new hires significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $434,412, illustrating the common gap faced by early-career professionals. However, as they gain experience, first-year radiologists can expect their earnings to gradually rise, with potential salaries reaching $312,777 within just a few years. Cranston serves as a viable market for new grads due to its modest salary growth trajectory and robust demand for radiology professionals, providing opportunities to bridge the gap to the median and ultimately attain more lucrative positions.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($380,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cranston
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 Cranston
Entry-level radiologists in Cranston, RI typically start between $251,959 and $312,777 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $377,543 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $434,412 — 1.7% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Rhode Island of $350,000 represents just 138.91% of the starting radiologist pay ($251,959/year) in Cranston. 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 Cranston
- 1Research the Cranston market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $251,959 to $312,777, 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 RI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cranston, 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 Cranston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cranston's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Radiologist Compensation Range
The radiologist wage spread in Cranston is $377,543 ( 149.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $251,959, experienced hygienists can earn up to $629,502.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$212,382
2025 BLS Actual
$239,961
2026 Current Est.
$251,959
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Cranston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $212,382 | Actual |
| 2022 | $209,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $215,024 | Actual |
| 2024 | $216,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $239,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $251,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $264,557 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Cranston, RI grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $212,382 in 2021 to $239,961 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $264,557. New graduates entering the Cranston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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 Cranston
When considering career opportunities within Cranston, several notable employers are well-positioned to provide entry-level roles for new radiologists. Academic medical centers not only offer broad subspecialty options but also foster growth through fellowship pipelines, which can enhance starting compensation. Large private partnerships frequently hire directly from residency, with a structured path to partnership over two to three years that typically results in higher salaries than traditional hospital employment. Newly graduated radiologists can significantly boost their earning potential and job competitiveness by pursuing board certification with the American Board of Radiology (ABR), along with obtaining necessary credentials and potentially engaging in subspecialty fellowships. With the ongoing changes in the partnership models influenced by private equity acquisitions in the radiology space, early-career professionals can expect realistic salary increases within their first three years of practice, especially if they align their career strategy with the growing demand for specialized skills in a market where average entry-level pay is competitive for new grad radiologists in RI.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
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 Cranston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cranston 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