Radiologist Pay

Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Nashville, TN: $279,655 (2026)

Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Nashville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $279,655 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Nashville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.88% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $304,635 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($482,163) within a few years of clinical practice.

$279,655
Starting Salary
$134.45/hr
Starting Hourly
$279,655
Entry Level
$482,163
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

A new graduate radiologist in Nashville, TN, can expect a starting salary around $279,655 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $482,163. This gap of nearly $200,000 highlights the financial growth potential in the field; entry-level professionals can anticipate a trajectory that leads to higher earnings as they accumulate experience and skill. Over the first three to five years, salaries typically rise, moving from the entry-level range toward the $347,157 mark that represents the 25th percentile. Overall, with the expected annual growth rate of 5.00%, Nashville presents an appealing market for new radiology graduates who are looking to build fruitful careers in a city where the demand for healthcare professionals continues to expand.

About the Nashville Market

Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Nashville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$279,655/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$347,157/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$482,163/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$582,531/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologists in Nashville. The median salary is $482,163, compared to the national median of $441,903.$251.7K$370.3K$489.0K$607.6K$726.3K$279.7K10th Pctl$347.2K25th Pctl$482.2KMedian$582.5K75th Pctl$691.7K90th PctlUS Median$441.9K

Entry-level radiologists in Nashville, TN typically start between $279,655 and $347,157 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $412,018 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $482,1639.11% above the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$260,000
Avg TN Program Cost
$279,655
Starting Salary
92.97%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average radiology program cost in Tennessee of $260,000 represents just 92.97% of the starting radiologist pay ($279,655/year) in Nashville. 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 Nashville

  • 1Research the Nashville market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $279,655 to $347,157, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Nashville, 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 Nashville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Nashville'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 Nashville is $412,018 ( 147.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $279,655, experienced hygienists can earn up to $691,673.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2021 BLS Actual

$235,728

2025 BLS Actual

$266,338

2026 Current Est.

$279,655

2021–2027 Growth

+24.6%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Nashville (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 Nashville. Baseline $235,728 in 2025, projected to $293,638 by 2027.$193.1K$222.4K$251.7K$281.1K$310.4K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$235.7K$232.1K$238.7K$209.8K$266.3K$279.7K$293.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$235,728Actual
2022$232,107Actual
2023$238,660Actual
2024$209,820Actual
2025$266,338Actual
2026(current)$279,655Estimated
2027$293,638Projected

Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Nashville, TN grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $235,728 in 2021 to $266,338 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $293,638. New graduates entering the Nashville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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 Nashville

In Nashville, several key employers hire entry-level radiologists, offering a diverse range of career pathways. Academic medical centers are strong contenders, providing comprehensive training and fellowship opportunities that facilitate subspecialization. Meanwhile, large private radiology partnerships often recruit directly from residency programs, leading to career tracks that can culminate in partnership after just a few years. Teleradiology firms are also increasingly attractive for young professionals seeking a more flexible lifestyle. To enhance starting salaries, candidates should focus on obtaining an MD or DO degree, completing a five-year diagnostic radiology residency, and achieving ABR board certification. Focusing on continuous learning and potentially pursuing subspecialty fellowships can also add significant value. Given the bifurcated nature of the radiology field, with significant distinctions between private practice and hospital employment, new grads should plan an informed strategy that considers how the evolving acquisitions of radiology groups will affect their long-term partnership prospects. As salaries typically increase steadily in the first three years, a well-executed career strategy will ideally position new graduates for robust financial growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level radiologists in Nashville start at approximately $279,655/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 $134.45/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 Nashville?

Most radiologists in Nashville progress from the entry-level salary of $279,655 to the area median of $482,163 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $691,673 (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 Nashville?

With a starting salary of $279,655/year in Nashville 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 Nashville?

New radiology graduates in Nashville typically start near the 10th percentile at $279,655/year, or approximately $134.45/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 Tennessee?

To become a licensed radiologist in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee

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 Nashville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Nashville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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