Radiologist Salary in Waterloo, IA: $443,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Waterloo, IA earns a median $443,510/year (≈ $213.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $490,608 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Radiologists in Waterloo, IA, can expect a median annual compensation of $443,510 in 2026, positioning them slightly above the national median pay of $441,903 for that year. The salary range for this profession demonstrates a significant spread, from $257,235 at the 10th percentile to as high as $623,242 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the income potential based on experience, subspecialty, and type of employment. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with adjustments made for local cost considerations. In Waterloo's competitive medical landscape, radiologists employed by private partnerships typically earn higher wages compared to those within hospital settings, significantly influencing overall compensation dynamics in the area.
About the Waterloo Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $257,235 | $123.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $319,327 | $153.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $443,510 | $213.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $533,306 | $256.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $623,242 | $299.64 |
Median Salary Position
0.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $366,007 (2026 est.). At $443,510, the local median is 0.36% above the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be above the median
How Waterloo Radiologist Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $443,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $455,817 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $441,903 | +0.36% more |
Radiologists in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $443,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 2.70% below the Iowa state average of $455,817.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A radiologist earning $443,510 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $490,608 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$347,501
2025 BLS Actual
$422,390
2026 Current Est.
$443,510
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Waterloo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $347,501 | Actual |
| 2022 | $364,876 | Actual |
| 2023 | $383,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $316,734 | Actual |
| 2025 | $422,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $443,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $465,685 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $347,501 (2021) to $422,390 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $465,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $118,184 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $257,235 – $319,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $319,327 – $443,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $443,510 – $533,306 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $533,306 – $623,242 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Waterloo
With only nine radiologists currently employed in Waterloo, the job market remains relatively tight, providing opportunities for those with advanced subspecialties, particularly interventional radiology (IR), which commands a premium compensation compared to general radiology. The local cost of living index stands at 90.4, meaning that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may be stretched by local expenses. Depending on the work environment, positions in private radiology group practices or teleradiology firms often yield the highest salaries, especially for those willing to cover weekend or night shifts. Compensation disparities can be attributed to factors like RVU productivity and the distinction between W-2 employment versus partnership equity stakes. For radiologists looking to maximize their pay in Waterloo, pursuing subspecialty training, focusing on productivity metrics, and exploring partnership possibilities can be advantageous strategies in this evolving field.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
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 $422,390 for radiologistsin the Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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