Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Kuna, ID: $286,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Kuna, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $286,528 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kuna's local price level (BEA RPP 95.3 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $300,659 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($494,013) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective radiologists entering the job market in Kuna, Idaho, can expect a starting salary around $286,528 in 2026. This entry-level figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $494,013, indicating a gap that new grads will need to bridge over their early years in practice. However, as radiologists gain experience and perhaps pursue further credentials, they may realistically expect their earnings to grow toward the $355,690 mark by their first few years of employment, positioning themselves on a path toward the median salary. Kuna currently represents a viable market for recent graduates, particularly given the anticipated 5.00% annual growth rate in earnings, allowing for a healthy trajectory in both experience and financial compensation as they advance in their careers.
About the Kuna Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($345,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kuna
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 Kuna
Entry-level radiologists in Kuna, ID typically start between $286,528 and $355,690 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $398,972 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $494,013 — 11.79% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Idaho of $240,000 represents just 83.76% of the starting radiologist pay ($286,528/year) in Kuna. 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 Kuna
- 1Research the Kuna market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $286,528 to $355,690, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kuna, 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 Kuna for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kuna's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Radiologist Compensation Range
The radiologist wage spread in Kuna is $398,972 ( 139.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $286,528, experienced hygienists can earn up to $685,500.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$241,521
2025 BLS Actual
$272,884
2026 Current Est.
$286,528
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Kuna (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $241,521 | Actual |
| 2022 | $237,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $244,526 | Actual |
| 2024 | $184,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $272,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $286,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $300,855 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Kuna, ID grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $241,521 in 2021 to $272,884 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $300,855. New graduates entering the Kuna job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kuna 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 Kuna
In Kuna, new graduates will find various pathways to employment, with local healthcare systems and private practices often seeking entry-level radiologists. Academic medical centers provide exposure to a breadth of subspecialties and the opportunity for fellowship training, while large private partnerships typically hire from residency and present a structured path to partnership after a few years. Essential credentials include an MD or DO degree, completion of a diagnostic radiology residency, and ABR board certification, which can significantly impact starting pay in Idaho. The changing dynamics in the radiology profession—marked by an increase in private equity acquisitions—have altered the traditional partnership tracks, making it crucial for early-career radiologists to be strategic in their first roles. Expecting incremental salary growth in the range of $10,000 to $20,000 per year during the initial 1-3 years is realistic, helping newcomers to solidify their professional standing as they build their practices.
More salary data for Kuna, ID:
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 Kuna. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kuna 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