Radiologist Salary in Thornton, CO: $471,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Thornton, CO earns a median $471,281/year (≈ $226.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $448,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, radiologists in Thornton, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $471,281, reflecting the city's competitive healthcare market. The salary range extends from $273,343 for the bottom 10% to an impressive $695,972 for the top 10%, underscoring the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and specialty. This projection, based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, indicates that radiologist pay in Thornton CO exceeds the national median by approximately 6.65%. Given the rise in teleradiology and the opportunities for supplemental income through remote work, many radiologists can significantly enhance their effective hourly earnings, shaping a promising financial outlook for those in the field.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($390,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $273,343 | $131.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $339,322 | $163.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $471,281 | $226.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $585,956 | $281.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $695,972 | $334.60 |
Median Salary Position
6.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $422,629 (2026 est.). At $471,281, the local median is 6.65% above the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Radiologist Pay Compares
Thornton median: $471,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $463,859 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | +6.65% more |
Radiologists in Thornton, CO earn a median of $471,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $463,859.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $471,281 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $448,839 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$369,261
2025 BLS Actual
$448,839
2026 Current Est.
$471,281
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Thornton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $369,261 | Actual |
| 2022 | $387,724 | Actual |
| 2023 | $407,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $415,928 | Actual |
| 2025 | $448,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $471,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $494,845 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $369,261 (2021) to $448,839 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $494,845 by 2027 — a total increase of $125,584 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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) | $273,343 – $339,322 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $339,322 – $471,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $471,281 – $585,956 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $585,956 – $695,972 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Thornton
With 34 radiologists currently employed in Thornton, the local job market demonstrates a stable demand for these specialists. While the cost of living index stands at 105, slightly above the national average, it is crucial for radiologists to consider the impact on their purchasing power. Compensation varies significantly depending on the practice type; private radiology groups and academic medical centers often offer the highest salaries, alongside teleradiology firms that provide flexible work arrangements. Factors driving the pay range include RVU productivity, subspecialty expertise, especially in interventional radiology, and the distinction between W-2 employment and partnership equity stakes. To maximize earnings, aspiring radiologists in Thornton should strategically assess job offers, emphasizing roles that offer partnership opportunities, teleradiology positions with on-call bonuses, and further specialization to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
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 $448,839 for radiologistsin the Thornton 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 Thornton 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