Radiologist Salary in Riverside, CA: $523,040 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologist in Riverside, CA earns a median $523,040/year (≈ $251.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1224). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $462,458 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Riverside, CA, the projected median annual salary for radiologists is $523,040 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $441,903, marking an 18.36% premium. Salary ranges extend from $303,363 at the 10th percentile to $786,689 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse mix of radiology subspecialties in the area. Radiologists here often specialize in various fields, including interventional radiology (IR), general diagnostic radiology, and breast imaging, each attracting different compensation levels. This compensation data is based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with local economic factors taken into account, suggesting that Riverside's job market is competitive and dynamic within the field.
About the Riverside Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $303,363 | $145.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $376,589 | $181.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $523,040 | $251.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $653,217 | $314.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $786,689 | $378.22 |
Median Salary Position
18.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the radiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $483,326 (2026 est.). At $523,040, the local median is 18.36% above the national median of $441,903.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Radiologist Pay Compares
Riverside median: $523,040/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $499,560 | +4.70% more |
| National Average | $441,903 | +18.36% more |
Radiologists in Riverside, CA earn a median of $523,040 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.36% higher than the national median of $441,903 and 4.70% above the California state average of $499,560.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $523,040 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $462,458 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$409,815
2025 BLS Actual
$498,133
2026 Current Est.
$523,040
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in Riverside (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $409,815 | Actual |
| 2022 | $430,306 | Actual |
| 2023 | $451,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $532,623 | Actual |
| 2025 | $498,133 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $523,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $549,192 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $409,815 (2021) to $498,133 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $549,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $139,377 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $303,363 – $376,589 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $376,589 – $523,040 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $523,040 – $653,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $653,217 – $786,689 |
MD, DO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologist Job Market in Riverside
The local job market for radiologists in Riverside currently employs 65 professionals, contributing to a robust healthcare environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, living expenses are above the national average, impacting the purchasing power of radiologists in the area. Employment opportunities vary between private radiology practices, hospital-based positions, teleradiology firms, and academic medical centers, with private partnerships offering higher radiologist pay in Riverside CA, often reaching between $500,000 and $700,000 or more for high producers. Factors contributing to the variance in salaries include RVU productivity models, the attractiveness of interventional radiology, and the potential for additional income from evening or weekend call coverage. Radiologists looking to maximize their earnings in this progressive market can benefit from pursuing subspecialties, considering private partnerships, and remaining adaptable to evolving healthcare structures, particularly as private equity continues to influence practice models in the region.
More salary data for Riverside, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $498,133 for radiologistsin the Riverside metropolitan area. A 5.00% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Riverside 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