Radiologist salary in California
Radiologists in California earn a median of $270,560 a year ($130.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $499,880 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $420,860. California ranks 26th of 39 states for radiologists pay. There are 0.04 radiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $309,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for radiologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,610 | $46.45 |
| 25th percentile | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Median | $270,560 | $130.08 |
| 75th percentile | $496,790 | $238.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $499,880 | $240.33 |
| Average (mean) | $309,990 | $149.03 |
Half of radiologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $22,546.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $11,273.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $10,406.15 |
| Weekly | $5,203.08 |
| Hourly | $130.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Radiologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $488,670 | 310 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $106,000 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for radiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $708,340 |
| South Dakota | $586,010 |
| Maryland | $581,510 |
| Maine | $555,750 |
| North Dakota | $553,140 |
| New Hampshire | $506,010 |
| Michigan | $485,920 |
| New Jersey | $482,700 |
| West Virginia | $471,650 |
| Arizona | $470,640 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1224. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a radiologist make in California?
The median salary for radiologists in California is $270,560 a year, or $130.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $499,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid radiologists make in California?
The top 10% of radiologists in California earn at least $499,880 a year. The top 25% earn $496,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for radiologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,610 a year, and a quarter of radiologists earn $106,000 or less.
How many radiologists work in California?
About 690 radiologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.