Radiologist Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $513,104 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $513,104/year (≈ $246.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $451,811 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a radiologist salary in Los Angeles is projected to reach a median of $513,104, significantly above the national median of $441,903. This figure supports the notion that the local market is not only robust but also quite lucrative for practitioners in the field. The salary range for radiologists in the region spans from $101,241 at the 10th percentile to as high as $521,630 at the 90th percentile. These projections, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the opportunities for both full-time and teleradiology positions, which can further enhance effective hourly compensation. With a high concentration of healthcare facilities, Los Angeles remains an attractive market for radiologists looking to advance their careers and earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,241 | $48.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,984 | $49.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $513,104 | $246.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $521,630 | $250.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $521,630 | $250.78 |
Median Salary Position
16.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $420,389 (2026 est.). At $513,104, the local median is 16.11% above the national median of $441,903.
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At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Los Angeles Radiologist Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $513,104/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $499,614 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | +16.11% more |
Radiologists in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $513,104 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.11% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 2.70% above the California state average of $499,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $513,104 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $451,811 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$402,030
2025 BLS Actual
$488,670
2026 Current Est.
$513,104
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Los Angeles (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $402,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $422,132 | Actual |
| 2023 | $443,238 | Actual |
| 2024 | $548,633 | Actual |
| 2025 | $488,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $513,104 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $538,759 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $402,030 (2021) to $488,670 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $538,759 by 2027 — a total increase of $136,729 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $101,241 – $102,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,984 – $513,104 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $513,104 – $521,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $521,630 – $521,630 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Los Angeles
The job market in Los Angeles employs approximately 310 radiologists, indicative of a strong demand for diagnostic imaging services in the area. However, professionals must consider the cost-of-living index, which stands at 113.566, reflecting higher living expenses that can impact take-home pay. Employers like private radiology group practices and academic medical centers often offer the most competitive packages, with factors such as RVU productivity, subspecialty expertise, and partnership equity stakes further influencing income potential. Notably, fields like interventional radiology can command a 30-50% premium in earnings. To maximize pay in this market, radiologists should focus on developing subspecialty skills, considering positions that offer partnership options, and exploring opportunities for teleradiology work, which can boost overall income.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
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
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 $488,670 for radiologistsin the Los Angeles 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
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