Radiologist Salary in Vista, CA: $512,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Vista, CA earns a median $512,524/year (≈ $246.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Vista's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $453,160 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vista, California, the projected median radiologist salary in 2026 is $512,524, marking a notable 15.98% increase compared to the national median of $441,903. This salary reflects a broad range across the profession, with entry-level earnings at $297,263 and potential earnings for top professionals reaching as high as $733,793. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, show that the city’s medical community is shaped largely by the structural divide between private partnership practices and hospital-employed roles. This divergence significantly influences compensation levels, making Vista an attractive locale for radiologists seeking higher earnings, especially those who can access private equity-backed opportunities.
About the Vista Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $297,263 | $142.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $369,017 | $177.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $512,524 | $246.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $623,519 | $299.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $733,793 | $352.79 |
Median Salary Position
15.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vista
In Vista, CA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $436,530 (2026 est.). At $512,524, the local median is 15.98% above the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vista Radiologist Pay Compares
Vista median: $512,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $500,023 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | +15.98% more |
Radiologists in Vista, CA earn a median of $512,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.98% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 2.50% above the California state average of $500,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vista has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vista, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $512,524 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $453,160 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$401,576
2025 BLS Actual
$488,118
2026 Current Est.
$512,524
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Vista (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $401,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $421,655 | Actual |
| 2023 | $442,737 | Actual |
| 2024 | $521,915 | Actual |
| 2025 | $488,118 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $512,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $538,150 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vista metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $401,576 (2021) to $488,118 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $538,150 by 2027 — a total increase of $136,574 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vista 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) | $297,263 – $369,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $369,017 – $512,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $512,524 – $623,519 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $623,519 – $733,793 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Vista
With 24 radiologists currently employed in Vista, the local medical market is active, yet the cost of living, indexed at 113.1, complicates take-home purchasing power for these professionals. The highest pay opportunities are generally found in private radiology group practices, where equity stakes and RVU productivity can substantially enhance earnings. In contrast, hospital-employed radiologists may earn comparatively less due to fixed W-2 compensation structures. Radiologists specializing in interventional radiology can command premiums of 30-50%, further widening the pay gap. To maximize compensation in this market, aspiring radiologists should consider partnerships with private practices while also exploring side income through teleradiology or seeking roles that offer lucrative night and weekend coverage options.
More salary data for Vista, 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 $488,118 for radiologistsin the Vista 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 Vista 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