Radiologist Salary in Tustin, CA: $499,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Tustin, CA earns a median $499,288/year (≈ $240.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $441,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Tustin, California, the salary landscape for radiologists reflects a competitive environment with a projected median annual salary of $499,288 in 2026, outpacing the national median by nearly 13%. The local salary range varies widely from $289,587 at the 10th percentile to $695,872 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the influence of employment structure on compensation. Radiologists in Tustin often find themselves in differing pay scales depending on whether they are part of a private partnership or a hospital-employed W-2 position, with partnerships typically yielding higher earnings. These figures are estimated from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations, and demonstrate the job market's complexity influenced by various factors such as subspecialty focus and practice type.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $289,587 | $139.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $359,487 | $172.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $499,288 | $240.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $596,926 | $286.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $695,872 | $334.55 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $406,285 (2026 est.). At $499,288, the local median is 12.99% above the national median of $441,903.
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At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be above the median
How Tustin Radiologist Pay Compares
Tustin median: $499,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $499,787 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $441,903 | +12.99% more |
Radiologists in Tustin, CA earn a median of $499,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 0.10% below the California state average of $499,787.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $499,288 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $441,457 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$391,205
2025 BLS Actual
$475,512
2026 Current Est.
$499,288
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Tustin (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $391,205 | Actual |
| 2022 | $410,765 | Actual |
| 2023 | $431,303 | Actual |
| 2024 | $508,436 | Actual |
| 2025 | $475,512 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $499,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $524,252 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $391,205 (2021) to $475,512 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $524,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $133,047 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $289,587 – $359,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $359,487 – $499,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $499,288 – $596,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $596,926 – $695,872 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Tustin
With only 18 radiologists currently employed in Tustin, the local market is relatively small yet robust. The cost of living index in Tustin is 113.1, which indicates that while salaries are higher than the national average, the real purchasing power for those earnings should be weighed against local expenses. Among employers, private radiology group practices often provide the most lucrative salaries, especially for those offering subspecialties such as interventional radiology, which commands a premium. Factors contributing to the broad salary range include RVU productivity models, equity stakes in practices, and the demands of night or weekend call. Radiologists looking to enhance their pay should consider positioning themselves within high-demand subspecialties, seeking partnership opportunities, or exploring teleradiology roles that offer additional income streams in this evolving Tustin market.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 $475,512 for radiologistsin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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