California Median
$270,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$130.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-36% vs US median
US median $420,860
State Rank
#26 of 34
690 employed here
How much does a Radiologist make in California?
Radiologists in California take home a median of $270,560 annually — roughly $130.08 an hour — which runs 36% below the national median of $420,860.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $96,610 while the top 10% make $499,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $106,000 and $496,790 a year.
Radiologist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,610 | $46.45 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $106,000 | $50.96 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $270,560 | $130.08 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $496,790 | $238.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $499,880 | $240.33 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 26th out of 34 states and territories for Radiologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Radiologist salary in other states
Minnesota $708,340South Dakota $586,010Maryland $581,510Maine $555,750North Dakota $553,140New Hampshire $506,010Michigan $485,920New Jersey $482,700West Virginia $471,650Arizona $470,640Pennsylvania $455,380New York $441,580Indiana $430,640Massachusetts $426,560Florida $417,690Utah $417,250Iowa $405,220Wisconsin $392,610Nevada $386,210Virginia $376,270Montana $360,330Colorado $344,270Georgia $335,190Texas $319,320Kentucky $279,990Ohio $260,000Connecticut $191,990District of Columbia $182,450Kansas $179,990South Carolina $174,480Wyoming $161,750New Mexico $96,170Arkansas $75,600
Working as a Radiologist in California
Nationally, about 27,000 people work as Radiologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($270,560) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Radiologist make in California?
The median Radiologist salary in California is $270,560 per year, or about $130.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $96,610 at the entry level to $499,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Radiologists about 36% less than the national median of $420,860. California ranks 26th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Radiologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $270,560 a year. About 690 Radiologists are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Radiologist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.