Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $272,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Des Moines, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $272,727 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $253,936 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($470,218) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a new physician can be both exciting and daunting, especially when considering the starting compensation in specialties like radiology. In Des Moines, Washington, the entry-level radiologist salary is projected to be around $272,727 in 2026, a solid foundation against the city's overall median of $470,218. This gap illustrates the typical trajectory new graduates can expect as they gain experience—initial compensation may hover near the P10 range, but advancement is possible through skills development and increasing responsibilities, potentially reaching an annual salary of $338,557 within a few years. For recent graduates, Des Moines presents a promising market, with entry-level opportunities and a respectable growth forecast of 5.00%, allowing them to carve out a successful career while joining the field.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($410,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Moines
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 Des Moines
Entry-level radiologists in Des Moines, WA typically start between $272,727 and $338,557 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $374,208 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $470,218 — 6.41% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Washington of $320,000 represents just 117.33% of the starting radiologist pay ($272,727/year) in Des Moines. 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 Des Moines
- 1Research the Des Moines market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $272,727 to $338,557, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Moines'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 Des Moines is $374,208 ( 137.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $272,727, experienced hygienists can earn up to $646,935.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$229,888
2025 BLS Actual
$259,740
2026 Current Est.
$272,727
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Des Moines (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $229,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $226,357 | Actual |
| 2023 | $232,748 | Actual |
| 2024 | $253,037 | Actual |
| 2025 | $259,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $272,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $286,363 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, WA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $229,888 in 2021 to $259,740 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $286,363. New graduates entering the Des Moines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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 Des Moines
Finding employment as a new radiologist in Des Moines can vary widely depending on the hiring entity. Academic medical centers tend to favor residency graduates by providing pathways into subspecialties, alongside fellowship programs that foster deeper expertise. Alternatively, large private partnerships may hire directly from residency programs, offering a clear progression to partnership status over a 2-3 year period. Teleradiology firms are also an avenue worth exploring for those interested in remote work arrangements, often looking for fellowship-trained radiologists. To enhance marketability, securing an MD or DO along with board certification through the ABR is essential, while subspecialty fellowships could justify higher starting pay in Washington. Recent changes in partnership tracks due to private equity investments mean that first-year salaries can start around the $400k mark for those in hospital employment settings and rise rapidly for those involved in private practices. With a robust early-career trajectory, Des Moines represents a fertile ground for new grad radiologists eager to establish themselves in the medical community.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is radiology school worth it in Des Moines?
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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 Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Moines 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