Radiologists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Radiologists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Radiologists earn a median salary of $420,860 per year, ranking in the top 0% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.4% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do radiologists earn?

The median annual wage for radiologists is $420,860. That puts radiologists at #3 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Radiologists sit firmly in the top tier of U.S. earnings. Pay this high almost always requires extensive postgraduate education, board certification, or executive-level responsibility. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is radiologists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for radiologists is +3.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 28K positions in 2024 to 29K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do radiologists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working radiologists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems.
2. 2.Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed.
3. 3.Participate in quality improvement activities including discussions of areas where risk of error is high.
4. 4.Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings.
5. 5.Confer with medical professionals regarding image-based diagnoses.
6. 6.Develop or monitor procedures to ensure adequate quality control of images.
7. 7.Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and develop expertise.
8. 8.Provide counseling to radiologic patients to explain the processes, risks, benefits, or alternative treatments.

Top skills for radiologists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become radiologist?

Becoming a radiologist typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Surgeons, All Other
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• Anesthesiologists
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• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
  $358,550 median
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  $352,220 median
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
  $335,550 median
• Dermatologists
  $328,730 median

Common questions parents ask about radiologists