Radiologist Salary in Wheeling, IL: $418,862 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Wheeling, IL earns a median $418,862/year (≈ $201.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $431,372 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, radiologists can expect a median annual salary of $418,862 in 2026, which reflects a competitive positioning in comparison to the national average. The salary range spans from $242,940 at the 10th percentile to $588,824 at the 90th percentile, indicating a notable variation influenced by specialization, experience, and practice type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. In this market, the mix of radiologist subspecialties, particularly interventional radiology (IR), general diagnostics, and breast imaging, plays a significant role in determining compensation levels, highlighting the importance of expertise in highly sought-after areas.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($390,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $242,940 | $116.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $301,581 | $144.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $418,862 | $201.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $507,897 | $244.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $588,824 | $283.09 |
Median Salary Position
5.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $345,884 (2026 est.). At $418,862, the local median is 5.21% below the national median of $441,903.
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At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be above the median
How Wheeling Radiologist Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $418,862/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $429,162 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $441,903 | -5.21% less |
Radiologists in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $418,862 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% lower than the national median of $441,903 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $429,162.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A radiologist earning $418,862 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $431,372 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$328,189
2025 BLS Actual
$398,916
2026 Current Est.
$418,862
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Wheeling (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $328,189 | Actual |
| 2022 | $344,599 | Actual |
| 2023 | $361,829 | Actual |
| 2024 | $369,666 | Actual |
| 2025 | $398,916 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $418,862 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $439,805 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $328,189 (2021) to $398,916 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $439,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $111,616 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $242,940 – $301,581 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $301,581 – $418,862 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $418,862 – $507,897 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $507,897 – $588,824 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Wheeling
With only six radiologists currently employed in Wheeling, the local job market shows a somewhat limited pool, which can both constrain and enhance earning opportunities. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, indicating that although expenses are slightly below the national average, purchasing power may still impact overall financial comfort. Among local employers, private radiology practices that offer partnership opportunities tend to provide the most lucrative compensation, often exceeding their hospital-employed counterparts. The variance in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including RVU productivity, subspecialty expertise, and whether a radiologist operates under a W-2 employment model or as a partner. Radiologists seeking to maximize their pay in Wheeling should consider developing in-demand subspecialties like IR, as well as exploring equity stakes in private practices where there is greater income potential.
More salary data for Wheeling, IL:
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 $398,916 for radiologistsin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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