Radiologist Salary in Costa Mesa, CA: $502,186 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Costa Mesa, CA earns a median $502,186/year (≈ $241.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Costa Mesa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $444,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The radiologist salary in Costa Mesa, California, is markedly influenced by the job structure within the medical community, particularly the divide between private partnerships and hospital W-2 positions. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to be $502,186, outpacing the national average by approximately 13.64%. Salaries for radiologists in this area exhibit a wide range, from $291,268 at the lower end to $731,857 at the upper 90th percentile. Such variations reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and account for regional cost adjustments. As private equity continues to shape the landscape of radiology in Costa Mesa, professionals will find it essential to understand how these employment models affect their earning potential and growth in this dynamic job market.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $291,268 | $140.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $361,574 | $173.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $502,186 | $241.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $617,028 | $296.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $731,857 | $351.86 |
Median Salary Position
13.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Costa Mesa
In Costa Mesa, CA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $440,589 (2026 est.). At $502,186, the local median is 13.64% above the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Costa Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Costa Mesa Radiologist Pay Compares
Costa Mesa median: $502,186/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Costa Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $499,687 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | +13.64% more |
Radiologists in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $502,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.64% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 0.50% above the California state average of $499,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Costa Mesa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Costa Mesa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $502,186 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $444,019 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$393,476
2025 BLS Actual
$478,272
2026 Current Est.
$502,186
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Costa Mesa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $393,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $413,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $433,807 | Actual |
| 2024 | $511,387 | Actual |
| 2025 | $478,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $502,186 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $527,295 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $393,476 (2021) to $478,272 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $527,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $133,819 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $291,268 – $361,574 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $361,574 – $502,186 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $502,186 – $617,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $617,028 – $731,857 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Costa Mesa
The local job market for radiologists in Costa Mesa currently employs 23 professionals, providing a unique environment where opportunities abound amidst the region’s higher cost of living, reflected by a cost-of-living index of 113.1. Those exploring radiologist pay in Costa Mesa CA need to recognize the significant disparities within compensation based on employment type. Private radiology group practices typically offer higher salaries, often enhanced by partnership equity stakes, while hospital-employed positions might range lower due to W-2 complexities. Factors such as RVU productivity, subspecialty expertise—particularly in interventional radiology (IR), which commands a premium—and the structure of night and weekend on-call responsibilities further influence salary expectations. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, pursuing partnerships, building subspecialty skills, and being proactive in income negotiations are vital strategies for radiologists aiming for higher pay.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologists make in Costa Mesa, CA in 2026?
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Can radiologists make $100K in Costa Mesa?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $478,272 for radiologistsin the Costa Mesa metropolitan area. A 5.00% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Costa Mesa 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