Radiologist Pay

Entry-Level Radiologist Salary in College Station, TX: $253,592 (2026)

Quick Answer:New radiologists entering the College Station, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $253,592 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1224, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out College Station's local price level (BEA RPP 96.04% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $264,158 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($437,227) within a few years of clinical practice.

$253,592
Starting Salary
$121.92/hr
Starting Hourly
$253,592
Entry Level
$437,227
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Radiologist Entry Level Salary in College Station, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
College Station, TX radiologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For newly graduated radiologists entering the workforce in College Station, Texas, the starting pay will typically hover around $253,592 annually in 2026. This figure is notably below the median for the area, which stands at $437,227, creating a gap of roughly $183,635 that reflects the progressive nature of salary growth in this field. Over the first few years, a radiologist can expect their earnings to increase as they gain experience and competence, with an average early-career trajectory pushing towards the $314,804 mark. Importantly, College Station offers a promising market for new graduates, providing opportunities that can lead to desirable growth paths and competitive pay as one establishes themselves in this critical healthcare sector.

About the College Station Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($425,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in College Station

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$253,592/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$314,804/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$437,227/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$524,285/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologists in College Station. The median salary is $437,227, compared to the national median of $441,903.$228.2K$332.7K$437.2K$541.7K$646.2K$253.6K10th Pctl$314.8K25th Pctl$437.2KMedian$524.3K75th Pctl$615.4K90th PctlUS Median$441.9K

Entry-level radiologists in College Station, TX typically start between $253,592 and $314,804 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $361,836 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $437,2271.06% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of radiologist pay in the College Station metro area.

Return on Investment

$240,000
Avg TX Program Cost
$253,592
Starting Salary
94.64%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average radiology program cost in Texas of $240,000 represents just 94.64% of the starting radiologist pay ($253,592/year) in College Station. 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 College Station

  • 1Research the College Station market: entry-level radiologist pay ranges from $253,592 to $314,804, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in College Station, 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 College Station for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5College Station'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 College Station is $361,836 ( 142.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $253,592, experienced hygienists can earn up to $615,428.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2021 BLS Actual

$213,758

2025 BLS Actual

$241,516

2026 Current Est.

$253,592

2021–2027 Growth

+24.6%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in College Station (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for radiologists in College Station. Baseline $213,758 in 2025, projected to $266,271 by 2027.$199.3K$218.8K$238.4K$257.9K$277.4K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$213.8K$210.5K$216.4K$243.9K$241.5K$253.6K$266.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$213,758Actual
2022$210,475Actual
2023$216,417Actual
2024$243,892Actual
2025$241,516Actual
2026(current)$253,592Estimated
2027$266,271Projected

Entry-level radiologist compensation (10th percentile) in College Station, TX grew 13.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $213,758 in 2021 to $241,516 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $266,271. New graduates entering the College Station job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 College Station

Newly minted radiologists in College Station can find employment with various local healthcare institutions, including academic medical centers known for offering diverse subspecialty training and fellowship opportunities. Large private radiology groups often recruit residents during their training, allowing for a structured path toward partnership within 2-3 years of employment. Additionally, teleradiology firms are increasingly hiring fellowship-trained radiologists, catering to a lifestyle that allows for remote work. To maximize their entry-level salary, new graduates should focus on obtaining board certification through the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and consider pursuing optional subspecialty fellowships to enhance their credentials. The career strategy during the formative years involves assessing the balance between private partnerships—where earnings can escalate from $500k to $700k—and hospital W-2 employment, which typically offers salaries ranging from $400k to $550k. Understanding these dynamics will aid in setting realistic salary expectations during the critical early career phase while positioning them for significant growth in the competitive radiology landscape in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for radiologists in College Station in 2026?

Entry-level radiologists in College Station start at approximately $253,592/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.00% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $121.92/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do radiologist salaries grow in College Station?

Most radiologists in College Station progress from the entry-level salary of $253,592 to the area median of $437,227 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $615,428 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is radiology school worth it in College Station?

With a starting salary of $253,592/year in College Station and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new radiologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new radiologists make right out of school in College Station?

New radiology graduates in College Station typically start near the 10th percentile at $253,592/year, or approximately $121.92/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a radiologist in Texas?

To become a licensed radiologist in Texas, you typically need md or do degree (4 years), 1-year internship, 4-year diagnostic radiology residency (acgme-accredited), american board of radiology (abr) board certification. optional 1-2 year subspecialty fellowships in interventional radiology, neuroradiology, breast imaging, body imaging, musculoskeletal, pediatric, or nuclear medicine., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Texas, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some radiologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Texas

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

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 College Station. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for College Station is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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