Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Brea, CA: $275,031 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Brea, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $275,031 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brea's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $243,175 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($474,192) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the field of radiology in Brea, California, can realistically expect a starting salary around $275,031 in 2026. This amount represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level positions, and there's a notable gap to the city's median annual pay of $474,192. New radiologists can anticipate a growth trajectory that starts at this entry-level figure and progresses toward $341,418 at the 25th percentile, potentially moving toward the median within their first three to five years. With the ongoing demand for radiology services and a projected 5.00% growth rate in the sector, Brea currently presents an attractive market for new graduates eager to embark on their medical careers.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brea
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
Entry-level radiologists in Brea, CA typically start between $275,031 and $341,418 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $382,375 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $474,192 — 7.31% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in California of $340,000 represents just 123.62% of the starting radiologist pay ($275,031/year) in Brea. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AAMC tuition reports for LCME-accredited MD programs and COCA-accredited DO programs plus ACGME-accredited diagnostic radiology residency data. Totals reflect 4 years of medical school tuition, fees, and living expenses. Residency is salaried but adds opportunity cost; subspecialty fellowships add 1-2 additional years.
MD, DO Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Brea
- 1Research the Brea market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $275,031 to $341,418, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the radiology field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brea, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Brea for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Brea's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Radiologist Compensation Range
The radiologist wage spread in Brea is $382,375 ( 139.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $275,031, experienced hygienists can earn up to $657,406.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$231,830
2025 BLS Actual
$261,934
2026 Current Est.
$275,031
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Brea (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $231,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $228,269 | Actual |
| 2023 | $234,714 | Actual |
| 2024 | $280,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $261,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $275,031 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $288,782 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Brea, CA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $231,830 in 2021 to $261,934 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $288,782. New graduates entering the Brea job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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.
Starting Your radiology Career in Brea
In Brea, several types of employers hire new graduate radiologists, including academic medical centers that provide extensive subspecialty training and large private practices that typically seek out residents with 2-3 years of experience to eventually bring them into the partnership fold. Teleradiology companies also present an appealing option for those looking for a remote-first lifestyle, often hiring fellowship-trained radiologists. To maximize their entry-level pay in California, aspiring radiologists should focus on obtaining their MD or DO, completing a five-year diagnostic radiology residency, becoming ABR board certified, and considering additional fellowship training. Within the first few years, radiologists should be aware that salary growth can vary, particularly as the field continues to split along lines of W-2 hospital employment and private practice partnerships— the latter often yielding higher compensation levels, typically in the range of $400,000 to $700,000 as they gain experience and build their reputations.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new radiology graduates. A 5.00% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Brea. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea 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