Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Highland, UT: $236,622 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Highland, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $236,622 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Highland's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $241,205 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($407,969) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Highland, Utah, new graduate radiologists can expect an entry-level salary around $236,622 as they begin their careers. This initial pay is significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $407,969, indicating that new entrants will have some ground to cover in their early years. However, by progressing from the lower end of the pay spectrum to values at the 25th percentile of $293,738, early-career professionals may see their compensation grow substantively within the first three to five years. Highland presents a favorable market for new radiology graduates, especially as the healthcare sector expands and demand for medical imaging services continues to rise, offering promising opportunities for those starting their careers.
About the Highland Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($365,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Highland
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 Highland
Entry-level radiologists in Highland, UT typically start between $236,622 and $293,738 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $291,786 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $407,969 — 7.68% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Utah of $260,000 represents just 109.88% of the starting radiologist pay ($236,622/year) in Highland. 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 Highland
- 1Research the Highland market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $236,622 to $293,738, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Highland, 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 Highland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Highland'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 Highland is $291,786 ( 123.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $236,622, experienced hygienists can earn up to $528,408.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$199,454
2025 BLS Actual
$225,354
2026 Current Est.
$236,622
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Highland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $199,454 | Actual |
| 2022 | $196,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $201,935 | Actual |
| 2024 | $195,444 | Actual |
| 2025 | $225,354 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $236,622 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $248,453 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Highland, UT grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $199,454 in 2021 to $225,354 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $248,453. New graduates entering the Highland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Highland 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 Highland
Employers in the Highland area frequently include large hospitals, academic medical centers, and private radiology groups, some of which actively seek newly graduated radiologists. Academic centers are particularly beneficial for fresh graduates, providing a breadth of subspecialty training and potential fellowship opportunities that can enhance future earning potential significantly. To boost their starting pay, new grads should focus on obtaining the necessary credentials, including an MD or DO degree, completion of a diagnostic radiology residency, board certification from the ABR, and potentially pursuing subspecialty fellowships. In the first few years, aligning with either a hospital W-2 employment model or a private partnership can affect salary trajectories, as partnerships may lead to faster pathways to high earnings. Realistically, entry-level radiologists in Highland can anticipate steady salary growth as they build their experience and establish themselves in this evolving field.
More salary data for Highland, UT:
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 Highland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Highland 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