Radiologist Salary in Raleigh, NC: $436,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Raleigh, NC earns a median $436,404/year (≈ $209.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $466,244 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median radiologist salary in Raleigh, North Carolina, is projected to reach $436,404, slightly under the national median of $441,903, reflecting a 1.24% lower overall pay scale for local professionals. With a salary range spanning from $253,114 (P10) to $634,755 (P90), this field offers potential for significant earnings depending on experience and subspecialty focus. These figures, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost differentials, suggest that while the salary levels are competitive, the market also presents varied opportunities. The thriving landscape of teleradiology in the region can enhance effective hourly compensation for radiologists, particularly for those willing to take on on-call roles or off-shift work.
About the Raleigh Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($370,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $253,114 | $121.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $314,211 | $151.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $436,404 | $209.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $532,355 | $255.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $634,755 | $305.17 |
Median Salary Position
1.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $381,641 (2026 est.). At $436,404, the local median is 1.24% below the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Radiologist Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $436,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $413,653 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | -1.24% less |
Radiologists in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $436,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% lower than the national median of $441,903 and 5.50% above the North Carolina state average of $413,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh 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.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A radiologist earning $436,404 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $466,244 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$341,934
2025 BLS Actual
$415,623
2026 Current Est.
$436,404
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Raleigh (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $341,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $359,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $376,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $365,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $415,623 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $436,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $458,224 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $341,934 (2021) to $415,623 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $458,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $116,290 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $253,114 – $314,211 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $314,211 – $436,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $436,404 – $532,355 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $532,355 – $634,755 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Raleigh
Raleigh employs around 104 radiologists, indicating a stable job market despite the national averages. The cost of living in the area is relatively low, with a CoL index of 93.6, positively influencing take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, private radiology group practices typically offer the highest salaries, often attributed to partnership equity stakes and RVU productivity models, while hospital-employed radiology departments provide a steadier W-2 track, generally yielding lower compensation. The spread between low and high pay can often be traced to factors such as subspecialty expertise, particularly in interventional radiology, which commands premium compensation, and the flexibility to leverage night and weekend shifts in teleradiology roles. To maximize earnings in Raleigh, radiologists should consider diversifying their skills across subspecialties, engaging in productive billing practices, and exploring partnerships rather than W-2 roles when feasible.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 $415,623 for radiologistsin the Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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