Radiologist Pay

Radiologist Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $53.51 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologist working in San Francisco, CA runs $53.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,300 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,778 per year.

$111,300
Median Annual Salary
$53.51/hr
Hourly Rate
$111,300
Entry Level (P10)
$593,208
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Radiologist Hourly Rate in San Francisco, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
San Francisco, CA radiologist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the radiologist hourly pay in San Francisco, California is projected to be $53.51. This figure significantly lags behind the national hourly median of $212.45, reflecting regional economic factors and the overall demand for radiology services. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or those seeking per diem roles, the opportunities within hospital reading rooms, outpatient imaging centers, and remote reading stations can be both flexible and varied in pay. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the spectrum; however, experienced radiologists can see hourly rates reach as high as $285.20. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that this range allows for a wide array of earning potential across the profession in the San Francisco area.

Radiologist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$53.51$428.06
Lower Range (P25)$53.51$428.06
Median (P50)$53.51$428.06
Upper Range (P75)$67.86$542.89
Top Earners (P90)$285.20$2281.61

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco

Based on $53.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a radiologist in San Francisco earning $53.51/hr would make approximately $64,210 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $111,297 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$64,210Reduced (32 hr/wk)$85,613Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$111,297

At $53.51/hr, a radiologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $111,297 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,210. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$428.06
per 8hr shift
$2,140.32
per week
$9,275
per month
$111,297
per year

Schedule Comparison in San Francisco

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,140.32$9,275$111,297
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,284.19$5,565$66,778
Per Diem (16 hrs)$856.13$3,710$44,519

Compare MD, DO Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Radiologist (San Francisco)$53.51
Anesthesiologist (National Avg)$168.27
Cardiologist (National Avg)$168.27
Radiologic Technologist (National Avg)$36.15
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg)$40.79
Horizontal bar chart comparing radiologist median salary in San Francisco ($111,300) with California average ($499,103) and the US national median ($441,903).San Francisco$111,300California Avg$499,103-77.70%US National$441,903-74.81%

Radiologists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $111,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 74.81% lower than the national median of $441,903 and 77.70% below the California state average of $499,103.

Radiologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $53.51/hr = $66,778/year (purchasing power: $57,760).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,297/year (purchasing power: $96,267).

CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).

2021 BLS Actual

$41.92/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$50.96/hr

2026 Current Est.

$53.51/hr

2021–2027 Growth

+34.0%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologists in San Francisco (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for radiologists in San Francisco. Baseline $41.92/hr in 2025, projected to $56.18/hr by 2027.$-3$76$154$232$31120212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.92$44.02$46.22$266.01$50.96$53.51$56.18
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$41.92/hrActual
2022$44.02/hrActual
2023$46.22/hrActual
2024$266.01/hrActual
2025$50.96/hrActual
2026(current)$53.51/hrEstimated
2027$56.18/hrProjected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologists in San Francisco grew 21.6% from $41.92/hr (2021) to $50.96/hr (2025). At a 5.00% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.18/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem radiologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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.

Working as an Hourly Radiologist in San Francisco

Considering part-time work often entails 24 hours of service over three days, a radiologist could expect to make a substantial income throughout the year, particularly in per diem settings where rates fluctuate dramatically. Teleradiology night-hawk shifts, for instance, often compensate between $1,200 and $2,500 per overnight, while weekend coverage can demand $1,500 to $3,000 per day. Specialty areas such as interventional radiology can command even higher fees, upwards of $3,000 per day, especially at understaffed centers. It's important for radiologists to understand how hourly rates can vary depending on the employer, with private practices often yielding different pay structures compared to hospital employment or academic centers. Furthermore, many radiologists may need to weigh the trade-offs of accepting lower hourly rates for positions that offer health insurance versus positions that pay higher hourly without benefits. Negotiation strategies tailored to San Francisco's unique market can help professionals maximize their approach to compensation discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for radiologists in San Francisco in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for radiologists in San Francisco is $53.51/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.00% annual growth). Rates range from $53.51 at entry level (10th percentile) to $285.20 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 74.8% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time radiologists make in San Francisco?

A part-time radiologist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in San Francisco earns approximately $5,565/month, or $66,778/year at the median hourly rate of $53.51. Many radiologists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are radiologists in San Francisco paid hourly or salary?

The majority of radiologists in San Francisco are paid hourly at a median rate of $53.51/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $111,297/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time radiologist make per year in San Francisco?

A full-time radiologist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in San Francisco earns approximately $111,297/year at the median hourly rate of $53.51. This is 74.8% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $593,218/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do radiologists earn more per hour working part-time in San Francisco?

Part-time and per diem radiologists in San Francisco sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $285.20/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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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

Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.00% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for radiologists in San Francisco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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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