Radiologist Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $499,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $499,842/year (≈ $240.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $441,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Cruz, CA, the projected median annual salary for radiologists in 2026 reaches $499,842, representing a notable 13.11% increase over the national median of $441,903 for the same year. Radiologists in the area can expect to earn between $289,908 and $729,515, indicating a broad spectrum of compensation based on experience, subspecialty, and employment structure. These estimates are derived from the 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local market conditions and cost-of-living factors. Santa Cruz's appealing coastal lifestyle, coupled with a growing demand for healthcare services, means that radiologists here can explore various avenues for additional income, particularly through teleradiology, which significantly boosts effective hourly compensation.
About the Santa Cruz Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $289,908 | $139.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $359,886 | $173.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $499,842 | $240.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $587,321 | $282.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $729,515 | $350.73 |
Median Salary Position
13.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $439,607 (2026 est.). At $499,842, the local median is 13.11% above the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Radiologist Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $499,842/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $441,903 | +13.11% more |
Radiologists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $499,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% higher than the national median of $441,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $499,842 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $441,947 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$391,639
2025 BLS Actual
$476,040
2026 Current Est.
$499,842
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Santa Cruz (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $391,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $411,221 | Actual |
| 2023 | $431,782 | Actual |
| 2024 | $509,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $476,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $499,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $524,834 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $391,639 (2021) to $476,040 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $524,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $133,195 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $289,908 – $359,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $359,886 – $499,842 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $499,842 – $587,321 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $587,321 – $729,515 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Santa Cruz
With only 12 radiologists currently employed in Santa Cruz, the local job market remains competitive yet limited. The cost-of-living index is 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are relatively high, housing and other expenses can impact overall purchasing power. Among local employers, private radiology group practices often provide the highest pay, particularly for those who are partners or have an equity stake. In contrast, hospital-employed radiologists may find compensation slightly lower, typically ranging from $400k to $550k. Factors that contribute to the variation in income include RVU productivity, subspecialty expertise, and whether a physician opts for partnership versus W-2 employment. In this environment, radiologists can maximize their earnings by diversifying their skill set, taking on night shifts or on-call responsibilities, and seeking opportunities in high-demand subspecialties such as interventional radiology.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $476,040 for radiologistsin the Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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