Radiologist Pay

Albuquerque vs Las Vegas: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Albuquerque, NM and Las Vegas, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albuquerque, NM
$100,979
$48.55/hr
Las Vegas, NM
$387,783
$186.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbuquerque, NMLas Vegas, NM
Median Salary$100,979$387,783
Hourly Rate$48.55$186.44
Entry Level (P10)$81,029$224,914
25th Percentile$91,140$279,203
75th Percentile$114,755$440,975
Top Earner (P90)$138,716$528,858
Total Employed1105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albuquerque ($100,979) and Las Vegas ($387,783) radiologist salaries.AlbuquerqueLas VegasMedian Salary$100,979$387,783Entry Level (P10)$81,029$224,914Top Earner (P90)$138,716$528,858US Median $441,903

Verdict

Las Vegas, NM offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Albuquerque.

The salary gap between Albuquerque and Las Vegas is $286,804 (284.02%). Las Vegas's median is -12.25% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albuquerque spans $57,687,Las Vegas spans $303,944. Las Vegas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Albuquerque
P10 (Entry)$81,029
P25$91,140
Median$100,979
P75$114,755
P90 (Top)$138,716
Las Vegas
P10 (Entry)$224,914
P25$279,203
Median$387,783
P75$440,975
P90 (Top)$528,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Las Vegas ($410,787 effective) pays 288.69% more than Albuquerque ($105,686 effective).

Albuquerque
Nominal: $100,979
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $105,686
Las Vegas
Nominal: $387,783
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $410,787

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albuquerque if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Las Vegas if…

  • Higher median salary ($387,783/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($528,858)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $410,787)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Albuquerque grew -22.6% from 2023 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in Las Vegas over the same period.

Albuquerque, NM

+-22.6%

$124,250 (2023) → $96,170 (2025)

Las Vegas, NM

+20.2%

$307,135 (2024) → $369,317 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Albuquerque or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas has a higher median radiologist salary at $387,783/year, compared to Albuquerque at $100,979/year — a difference of $286,804 (284.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albuquerque and Las Vegas?

Albuquerque radiologists earn $48.55/hr while Las Vegas hygienists earn $186.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albuquerque to Las Vegas as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albuquerque and Las Vegas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albuquerque = $105,686, Las Vegas = $410,787), job availability (110 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Albuquerque vs Las Vegas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $81,029 in Albuquerque and $224,914 in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas area offers higher starting salaries.
MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Rajesh Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Lisa Gonzalez, MD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.00% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed radiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov