Radiologist Salary in Cary, NC: $415,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Cary, NC earns a median $415,769/year (≈ $199.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $444,198 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Radiologists in Cary, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $415,769 in 2026, which slightly trails the national median of $441,903 for that year. The salary range for radiologists locally spans from $241,146 at the 10th percentile to $605,172 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variability based on experience, subspecialty, and the nature of employment. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for local economic conditions, shows that Cary's salary landscape supports lucrative opportunities particularly for radiologists who engage in teleradiology, offering additional income that can enhance total compensation by increasing effective hourly rates. With growing local demand, Cary presents a favorable environment for job seekers in the radiology field.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($370,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $241,146 | $115.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $299,353 | $143.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $415,769 | $199.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $495,369 | $238.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $605,172 | $290.94 |
Median Salary Position
5.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $364,026 (2026 est.). At $415,769, the local median is 5.91% below the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Radiologist Pay Compares
Cary median: $415,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $413,700 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | -5.91% less |
Radiologists in Cary, NC earn a median of $415,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $441,903 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $413,700.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A radiologist earning $415,769 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $444,198 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$325,765
2025 BLS Actual
$395,970
2026 Current Est.
$415,769
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Cary (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $325,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $342,054 | Actual |
| 2023 | $359,156 | Actual |
| 2024 | $348,118 | Actual |
| 2025 | $395,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $415,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $436,557 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $325,765 (2021) to $395,970 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $436,557 by 2027 — a total increase of $110,792 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $241,146 – $299,353 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $299,353 – $415,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $415,769 – $495,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $495,369 – $605,172 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Cary
Currently, Cary employs 44 radiologists, contributing to a competitive local job market. The area's cost of living index stands at 93.6, allowing for greater purchasing power compared to many national averages. Radiologists who aspire to maximize their pay should consider various employment structures. Those involved in private practice, particularly partnerships, may see salaries rising toward the higher end of the spectrum due to factors such as RVU productivity, subspecialty focus in interventional radiology, and equity stakes in practices. Hospital-employed radiologists and teleradiology positions may present more stability and benefits but can reflect annual wages that are more moderate. Understanding the diverse factors influencing pay in Cary can allow radiologists to make more informed decisions as they navigate their career paths in NC.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $395,970 for radiologistsin the Cary 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 Cary 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