Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $261,000 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Wenatchee, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $261,000 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wenatchee's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $243,017 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($449,999) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an entry-level radiologist salary in Wenatchee set at approximately $261,000 in 2026, new graduates can anticipate a competitive beginning in their career. This starting figure represents a significant gap compared to the overall city median of $449,999, suggesting room for growth as early-career professionals acquire experience and skills. Over their first few years, entry-level radiologists might realistically aim to transition to the 25th percentile range, with projections estimating earnings around $323,999. Given Wenatchee's growth trend in the field of radiology, marked by a projected 5.00% annual increase, the area appears to offer promising opportunities for fresh graduates eager to establish themselves within the healthcare landscape.
About the Wenatchee Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($410,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wenatchee
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 Wenatchee
Entry-level radiologists in Wenatchee, WA typically start between $261,000 and $323,999 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $346,383 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $449,999 — 1.83% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Washington of $320,000 represents just 122.61% of the starting radiologist pay ($261,000/year) in Wenatchee. 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 Wenatchee
- 1Research the Wenatchee market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $261,000 to $323,999, 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 Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wenatchee'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 Wenatchee is $346,383 ( 132.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $261,000, experienced hygienists can earn up to $607,383.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$220,003
2025 BLS Actual
$248,571
2026 Current Est.
$261,000
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Wenatchee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $220,003 | Actual |
| 2022 | $216,623 | Actual |
| 2023 | $222,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $242,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $248,571 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $261,000 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $274,050 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Wenatchee, WA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $220,003 in 2021 to $248,571 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $274,050. New graduates entering the Wenatchee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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 Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, institutions seeking entry-level radiologists include both hospitals and private healthcare practices, with the possibility of employing recent graduates from local residency programs or fellowship-trained candidates. While academic medical centers provide a breadth of subspecialty experiences, large private partnerships often prefer hiring new grads from residency to cultivate future partners, typically with a timeline of 2-3 years before partnership consideration. To enhance starting radiologist pay in WA, credentials such as an MD or DO degree, alongside ABR board certification, are essential. New graduates should focus on securing positions in environments that offer a clear path for advancement, either through fellowship opportunities or the valuable RVU productivity models adopted by private equity-backed groups. Understanding this career trajectory will help entry-level hires navigate their initial years effectively, keeping in mind that average salary expectations in this profession can rise significantly within the first three years, depending on the employment structure they pursue.
More salary data for Wenatchee, WA:
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 Wenatchee. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wenatchee 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