Radiologist Pay

Knoxville vs Smyrna: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Knoxville, TN and Smyrna, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$447,638
$215.21/hr
Smyrna, TN
$445,227
$214.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNSmyrna, TN
Median Salary$447,638$445,227
Hourly Rate$215.21$214.05
Entry Level (P10)$259,630$258,232
25th Percentile$322,300$320,564
75th Percentile$556,169$539,346
Top Earner (P90)$662,737$613,760
Total Employed3512
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($447,638) and Smyrna ($445,227) radiologist salaries.KnoxvilleSmyrnaMedian Salary$447,638$445,227Entry Level (P10)$259,630$258,232Top Earner (P90)$662,737$613,760US Median $441,903

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Smyrna.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Smyrna is $2,411 (0.54%). Knoxville's median is +1.30% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $403,107,Smyrna spans $355,528. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$259,630
P25$322,300
Median$447,638
P75$556,169
P90 (Top)$662,737
Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$258,232
P25$320,564
Median$445,227
P75$539,346
P90 (Top)$613,760

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($487,623 effective) pays 0.54% more than Smyrna ($484,997 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $447,638
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $487,623
Smyrna
Nominal: $445,227
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $484,997

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($447,638/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($662,737)
  • Larger job market (35 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $487,623)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Smyrna if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Knoxville grew 26.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in Smyrna over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+26.9%

$335,854 (2024) → $426,322 (2025)

Smyrna, TN

+26.9%

$334,046 (2024) → $424,026 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Knoxville or Smyrna?

Knoxville has a higher median radiologist salary at $447,638/year, compared to Smyrna at $445,227/year — a difference of $2,411 (0.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Smyrna?

Knoxville radiologists earn $215.21/hr while Smyrna hygienists earn $214.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Smyrna as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Smyrna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $487,623, Smyrna = $484,997), job availability (35 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Knoxville vs Smyrna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $259,630 in Knoxville and $258,232 in Smyrna. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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