Radiologist Salary in Poway, CA: $491,916 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Poway, CA earns a median $491,916/year (≈ $236.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Poway's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $434,939 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Poway, California, the projected median radiologist salary for 2026 is anticipated to reach $491,916, outperforming the national median of $441,903 by nearly 11.32%. This compensation reflects a competitive salary range, with entry-level positions starting at about $285,311 and those at the top end of experience earning as much as $652,967. The area's radiology market is influenced by a diverse subspecialty mix, including interventional radiology (IR) and general diagnostic radiology, which can significantly affect earnings potential. Effective use of productivity models, particularly RVU-based compensation, reinforces the revenue generation capacity of radiologists, making the Poway market an appealing destination for professionals seeking lucrative opportunities.
About the Poway Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $285,311 | $137.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $354,180 | $170.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $491,916 | $236.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $571,875 | $274.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $652,967 | $313.93 |
Median Salary Position
11.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poway
In Poway, CA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $367,656 (2026 est.). At $491,916, the local median is 11.32% above the national median of $441,903.
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At 40 hours/week in Poway: You'd be above the median
How Poway Radiologist Pay Compares
Poway median: $491,916/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $499,914 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $441,903 | +11.32% more |
Radiologists in Poway, CA earn a median of $491,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.32% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 1.60% below the California state average of $499,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poway has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poway, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $491,916 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $434,939 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$385,429
2025 BLS Actual
$468,491
2026 Current Est.
$491,916
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Poway (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $385,429 | Actual |
| 2022 | $404,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $424,935 | Actual |
| 2024 | $500,929 | Actual |
| 2025 | $468,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $491,916 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $516,511 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poway metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $385,429 (2021) to $468,491 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $516,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $131,082 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poway 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) | $285,311 – $354,180 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $354,180 – $491,916 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $491,916 – $571,875 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $571,875 – $652,967 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Poway
Analyzing the local job market, Poway currently employs a modest cohort of eight radiologists, which can create a unique competitive dynamic. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, housing and lifestyle expenses are above the national average, prompting radiologists to negotiate for higher pay to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, private radiology group practices tend to offer the highest compensation, followed closely by hospital departments, often depending on the structure of employment—W-2 versus partnership. The disparity in pay is commonly influenced by factors such as subspecialty demand, weekend and night coverage requirements, and additional revenue streams from teleradiology work. For maximizing radiologist pay in Poway, professionals should engage in partnerships if possible, leverage subspecialty training in areas like IR, and consider flexible teleradiology arrangements as viable income supplements.
More salary data for Poway, 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 $468,491 for radiologistsin the Poway 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 Poway 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