How much does a radiologist make?
The short answer
For 2025, Medscape’s 2026 report puts average radiologist compensation at about $571,000 and Doximity’s 2026 report at about $609,684, with interventional radiology higher. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a lower mean ($353,960 in May 2023) because it covers salaried employees only. Teleradiologists’ earnings vary widely with volume, shift type and pay model.
- ~$571KMedscape average, 2025 data
- ~$610KDoximity average, 2025 data
- $354KBLS mean wage, May 2023
What do the surveys say?
| Source | Figure | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Medscape 2026 Physician Compensation Report | About $571,000 | Average total compensation, radiology, 2025 data (self-reported survey) |
| Doximity 2026 Physician Compensation Report | About $609,684 (IR about $634,658) | Average compensation, 2025 data, from Doximity member reports |
| US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS | Mean $353,960 | Wage-and-salary radiologists only, May 2023 |
The surveys and BLS measure different things. Surveys include partners, owners and independent contractors and count total compensation; BLS counts salaried employees and leaves out the self-employed, which pulls its average down.
What changes how much a teleradiologist earns?
- Volume: how many studies or wRVUs you read per shift
- Case mix: CT- and MRI-heavy work carries more wRVUs than X-ray
- Pay model: per wRVU, per study, per shift or hourly, and whether there is a minimum
- Shift type: nights, weekends and holidays are often paid differently
- Number of shifts: full-time, part-time or a few blocks a month
- 1099 or W-2: contractors cover their own taxes and benefits
The pay models are explained in how teleradiologists are paid.
How does TeleRads pay?
TeleRads pays weekly, as an independent contractor (1099). For each night, you earn the larger of your nightly minimum or your rate times the wRVUs you read, so a slow night still pays the minimum and a busy night pays for the work. Your rate and minimum are set in your agreement, and we walk through them on a call. The radiologist page has an earnings calculator with example numbers.
Questions
What is the average radiologist salary?
For 2025, Medscape reports about $571,000 and Doximity about $609,684 in average radiologist compensation. BLS reports a mean of $353,960 for salaried radiologists (May 2023).
Why is the BLS radiologist salary lower than surveys?
BLS counts only wage-and-salary employees and excludes self-employed radiologists and partners, while Medscape and Doximity include total compensation from a broader group.
Do teleradiologists make as much as on-site radiologists?
They can. Teleradiology pay depends mainly on volume, case mix and pay model, so earnings vary widely between roles.
Which radiologists earn the most?
In Doximity’s 2026 report, interventional radiology averaged about $634,658, above diagnostic radiology overall.
How are teleradiologists paid?
Common models are per wRVU, per study, per shift or hourly, sometimes with a nightly or shift minimum. TeleRads pays the larger of a nightly minimum or rate times wRVU, weekly.