Radiologist Salary in Columbus, NE: $430,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Columbus, NE earns a median $430,923/year (≈ $207.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $470,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbus, Nebraska, the financial landscape for radiologists is shaped significantly by the distinction between private partnership opportunities and hospital W-2 positions. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $430,923, which is slightly below the national average of $441,903, making it a compelling choice for radiologists considering the local market. Salary estimates show a broad range, from $249,936 at the 10th percentile to $591,322 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and account for the regional cost of living, which is notably lower than the national average. Understanding this payscale pattern is vital for radiologists evaluating job offers in Columbus, especially given the shifting dynamics in physician compensation.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($355,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $249,936 | $120.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $310,265 | $149.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $430,923 | $207.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $492,279 | $236.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $591,322 | $284.29 |
Median Salary Position
2.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, NE, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $341,386 (2026 est.). At $430,923, the local median is 2.48% below the national median of $441,903.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Radiologist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $430,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $461,374 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $441,903 | -2.48% less |
Radiologists in Columbus, NE earn a median of $430,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% lower than the national median of $441,903 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $461,374.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A radiologist earning $430,923 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $470,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$337,640
2025 BLS Actual
$410,403
2026 Current Est.
$430,923
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Columbus (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $337,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $354,522 | Actual |
| 2023 | $372,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $303,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $410,403 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $430,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $452,469 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $337,640 (2021) to $410,403 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $452,469 by 2027 — a total increase of $114,829 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $249,936 – $310,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $310,265 – $430,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $430,923 – $492,279 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $492,279 – $591,322 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Columbus
The local job market presents a stable environment, with four radiologists currently employed in Columbus, NE, indicating a modest demand that may benefit prospective candidates. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, take-home purchasing power is favorable compared to other regions, allowing for a decent quality of life even at lower salary thresholds. Among the key employers, private radiology group practices often provide higher compensation than hospital-employed positions by offering partnership equity stakes, which can lead to significantly greater earnings. Factors such as RVU productivity, subspecialty expertise—particularly in interventional radiology, which can command a premium—and the potential for ancillary income through teleradiology services also contribute to the variance in pay. To maximize radiologist pay in Columbus, understanding the intricacies of the compensation structure and pursuing opportunities that allow for both partnership participation and subspecialization are vital strategies for enhancing earnings potential in this local market.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 $410,403 for radiologistsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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