Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in Waltham, MA: $270,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the Waltham, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $270,606 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Waltham's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $249,406 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($466,562) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field of radiology in Waltham, Massachusetts can expect an entry-level salary that starts at around $270,606 in 2026. While this figure may initially seem considerable, it is important to recognize that it represents a fraction of the city’s median annual salary of $466,562 for radiologists. Over the first 3-5 years, as new radiologists progress in their careers, they can anticipate salary growth from the entry-level range ($270,606) through to the 25th percentile ($335,924), eventually approaching the median salary as they gain experience and build their clinical capabilities. Given the growth trajectory of approximately 5.00% annually, Waltham currently presents a favorable job market for new graduates, especially those who are willing to pursue additional subspecialty fellowships or credentials that can enhance their earning potential and professional development.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($410,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Waltham
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 Waltham
Entry-level radiologists in Waltham, MA typically start between $270,606 and $335,924 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $384,882 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $466,562 — 5.58% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiology program cost in Massachusetts of $400,000 represents just 147.82% of the starting radiologist pay ($270,606/year) in Waltham. 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 Waltham
- 1Research the Waltham market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $270,606 to $335,924, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Waltham, 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 Waltham for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Waltham'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 Waltham is $384,882 ( 142.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $270,606, experienced hygienists can earn up to $655,488.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$228,100
2025 BLS Actual
$257,720
2026 Current Est.
$270,606
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Waltham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $228,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $224,597 | Actual |
| 2023 | $230,938 | Actual |
| 2024 | $251,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $257,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $270,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $284,136 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Waltham, MA grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $228,100 in 2021 to $257,720 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $284,136. New graduates entering the Waltham job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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 Waltham
In Waltham, a variety of employers actively recruit new graduates in radiology, including academic medical centers that provide diverse subspecialty opportunities and fellowship pathways, as well as large private practices that offer structured partnerships after a 2-3 year trajectory. Teleradiology firms also present a modern option, allowing fellowship-trained radiologists to work in remote environments. New graduates can boost their starting salaries in Massachusetts by obtaining necessary credentials such as an MD or DO degree, completing a 5-year diagnostic radiology residency, and earning ABR board certification. In the early years of their careers, radiologists should strategically target settings that align with the evolving industry context; the landscape has bifurcated into private partnerships with higher earnings potential ($500k-$700k) versus hospital W-2 employment ($400k-$550k). With careful consideration of their career path, graduates can expect to see realistic salary increments aligned with their growing skills and responsibilities in the first few years of employment.
More salary data for Waltham, MA:
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 Waltham. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waltham 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