Radiologist Pay

Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in South Milwaukee, WI: $227,428 (2026)

Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the South Milwaukee, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $227,428 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out South Milwaukee's local price level (BEA RPP 93.47% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $243,499 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($392,116) within a few years of clinical practice.

$227,428
Starting Salary
$109.34/hr
Starting Hourly
$227,428
Entry Level
$392,116
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, new graduates entering the field of radiology in South Milwaukee can expect to start their careers with an entry-level radiologist salary around $227,428. While this figure reflects early-stage compensation, it is significantly lower than the median salary in the city, which stands at $392,116. For those embarking on their radiology journey, it is essential to have realistic expectations regarding salary growth, as early-career radiologists can anticipate reaching approximately $282,324 within a few years, progressing steadily towards the median. Given these figures and the projected annual growth rate of 5.00%, South Milwaukee presents a moderately stable market for new graduates to establish their careers and build a solid financial foundation in the radiology field.

About the South Milwaukee Market

Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($390,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in South Milwaukee

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$227,428/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$282,324/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$392,116/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$446,924/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Milwaukee

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologists in South Milwaukee. The median salary is $392,116, compared to the national median of $441,903.$204.7K$294.8K$385.0K$475.1K$565.2K$227.4K10th Pctl$282.3K25th Pctl$392.1KMedian$446.9K75th Pctl$538.3K90th PctlUS Median$441.9K

Entry-level radiologists in South Milwaukee, WI typically start between $227,428 and $282,324 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $310,878 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $392,11611.27% below the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$280,000
Avg WI Program Cost
$227,428
Starting Salary
123.12%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.2 yr
Payback Estimate

The average radiology program cost in Wisconsin of $280,000 represents just 123.12% of the starting radiologist pay ($227,428/year) in South Milwaukee. 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 South Milwaukee

  • 1Research the South Milwaukee market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $227,428 to $282,324, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in South Milwaukee, 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 South Milwaukee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5South Milwaukee'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 South Milwaukee is $310,878 ( 136.69%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $227,428, experienced hygienists can earn up to $538,306.

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

2021 BLS Actual

$191,704

2025 BLS Actual

$216,598

2026 Current Est.

$227,428

2021–2027 Growth

+24.6%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in South Milwaukee (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 South Milwaukee. Baseline $191,704 in 2025, projected to $238,799 by 2027.$178.8K$196.3K$213.8K$231.3K$248.8K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$191.7K$188.8K$194.1K$200.7K$216.6K$227.4K$238.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$191,704Actual
2022$188,760Actual
2023$194,089Actual
2024$200,715Actual
2025$216,598Actual
2026(current)$227,428Estimated
2027$238,799Projected

Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in South Milwaukee, WI grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $191,704 in 2021 to $216,598 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $238,799. New graduates entering the South Milwaukee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

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

A variety of employers in South Milwaukee actively seek newly graduated radiologists, often providing distinct advantages that facilitate career growth. Academic medical centers are an excellent option for those who wish to explore subspecialty opportunities while building a fellowship pipeline. Concurrently, large private practices generally tap into their residency networks, offering a structured path toward partnership within 2-3 years. For those interested in flexibility, teleradiology firms present a strong option, allowing fellowship-trained radiologists to work remotely. To maximize starting pay in Wisconsin, it is crucial for physicians to hold an MD or DO degree, complete a diagnostic radiology residency, secure ABR board certification, and consider completing optional subspecialty fellowships. With the distinct separation between private partnerships and hospital W-2 employment in the field—a dynamic that has shifted since significant private equity acquisitions—new radiologists should clearly understand their career paths in the first few years. In a context where typical salaries between $400k-$550k are standard for W-2 positions, realistic growth from these initial figures shows potential for substantial income increases as experience accumulates over the first few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for radiologists in South Milwaukee in 2026?

Entry-level radiologists in South Milwaukee start at approximately $227,428/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 $109.34/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 South Milwaukee?

Most radiologists in South Milwaukee progress from the entry-level salary of $227,428 to the area median of $392,116 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $538,306 (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 South Milwaukee?

With a starting salary of $227,428/year in South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee?

New radiology graduates in South Milwaukee typically start near the 10th percentile at $227,428/year, or approximately $109.34/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 Wisconsin?

To become a licensed radiologist in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin

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

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for South Milwaukee 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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