Radiologist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $447,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Knoxville, TN earns a median $447,638/year (≈ $215.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $487,623 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, radiologists in Knoxville, Tennessee, can anticipate a median annual salary of $447,638, which reflects a modest increase compared to the national average of $441,903 for the same year. The local salary range extends from $259,630 at the 10th percentile to $662,737 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variety of compensation packages available based on factors such as work setting and experience. Factors such as the structural divide between private partnership roles and hospital W-2 positions significantly shape compensation in the area. Private practices tend to offer higher pay, while those in hospital settings, though more stable, typically see lower earnings. Understanding these dynamics is essential for prospective radiologists to gauge their potential income levels in Knoxville's healthcare job market.
About the Knoxville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($360,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $259,630 | $124.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $322,300 | $154.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $447,638 | $215.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $556,169 | $267.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $662,737 | $318.62 |
Median Salary Position
1.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $403,107 (2026 est.). At $447,638, the local median is 1.3% above the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Radiologist Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $447,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $440,589 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | +1.30% more |
Radiologists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $447,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.30% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 1.60% above the Tennessee state average of $440,589.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A radiologist earning $447,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $487,623 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$350,736
2025 BLS Actual
$426,322
2026 Current Est.
$447,638
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Knoxville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $350,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $368,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $386,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $335,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $426,322 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $447,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $470,020 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $350,736 (2021) to $426,322 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $470,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $119,284 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $259,630 – $322,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $322,300 – $447,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $447,638 – $556,169 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $556,169 – $662,737 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Knoxville
Currently, Knoxville employs about 35 radiologists, providing a stable job environment despite national fluctuations in the healthcare industry. The cost of living index stands at 91.8, which suggests that while salaries may offer competitive figures, the purchasing power, particularly for younger radiologists or those starting in hospital positions, may be less than anticipated. Employers in Knoxville vary in pay structures, with private radiology group practices often compensating at higher levels than hospital employed radiology departments, teleradiology firms, or academic medical centers. This wage spectrum is influenced not only by basic salary but also by factors such as RVU productivity, the mix of subspecialties—where interventional radiology often commands a premium—and the nuances of partnership versus W-2 employment. Radiologists in Knoxville should consider additional income opportunities like night call coverage and teleradiology to maximize their earnings potential, emphasizing the importance of strategic career planning in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologists make in Knoxville, TN in 2026?
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a radiologist?
Can radiologists make $100K in Knoxville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted radiologist salary in Knoxville?
How much does a radiologist make per hour in Knoxville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $426,322 for radiologistsin the Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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