Radiologist Salary in Ruston, LA: $415,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Ruston, LA earns a median $415,996/year (≈ $199.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $460,682 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the realm of radiology, Ruston, LA, presents a compelling snapshot of compensation dynamics. For 2026, the median annual salary is projected at $415,996, which reflects a modest 5.86% discount compared to the national average of $441,903. Local salaries range significantly from $241,277 at the 10th percentile to $555,886 at the 90th percentile, offering various earning potentials based on experience, specialty, and the nature of employment. These figures, developed from state-level data and regional cost of living adjustments, indicate that those within interventional radiology may command higher salaries than general diagnostic radiologists. This competitive pay landscape is aligned with a local market characterized by limited employment, with only four radiologists currently serving the community, making job opportunities rare yet potentially lucrative.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($340,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $241,277 | $116.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $299,518 | $144.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $415,996 | $199.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $488,933 | $235.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $555,886 | $267.26 |
Median Salary Position
5.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $314,609 (2026 est.). At $415,996, the local median is 5.86% below the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be above the median
How Ruston Radiologist Pay Compares
Ruston median: $415,996/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $432,429 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $441,903 | -5.86% less |
Radiologists in Ruston, LA earn a median of $415,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $441,903 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $432,429.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A radiologist earning $415,996 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $460,682 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$325,944
2025 BLS Actual
$396,187
2026 Current Est.
$415,996
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Ruston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $325,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $342,241 | Actual |
| 2023 | $359,353 | Actual |
| 2024 | $295,237 | Actual |
| 2025 | $396,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $415,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $436,796 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $325,944 (2021) to $396,187 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $436,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $110,852 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $241,277 – $299,518 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $299,518 – $415,996 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $415,996 – $488,933 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $488,933 – $555,886 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Ruston
The cost of living in Ruston, indicated by a relatively low index of 90.3, enhances the purchasing power of a radiologist's salary, as lower expenses allow for a more favorable standard of living. Employers in the region can include private radiology group practices, which may offer substantial pay through partnership arrangements, as well as hospital-employed positions that tend to range lower but provide stability and benefits. The stark differences in compensation levels are often driven by factors such as RVU productivity, subspecialty focus—where interventional radiology can demand a premium—and the nuances of partnership versus W-2 employment structures. Notably, physicians can maximize their radiologist pay in Ruston by seeking employment with private equity-backed practices or exploring teleradiology options that supplement income. Understanding these market trends is essential for new graduates and seasoned professionals alike seeking to optimize their financial outcomes in this specific regional context.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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 $396,187 for radiologistsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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