Radiologists
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasounds. May perform minimally invasive medical procedures and tests.
Also called: Attending Physician, Attending Radiologist, Breast Imaging Radiologist, Diagnostic Radiologist, General Radiologist, Interventional Neuroradiologist
Median pay
$420,860
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$89,010 – $594,410
People employed
26,770
Holland code
IRC
Investigative · Realistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 6.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 7.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 8.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Radiologists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (33 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What radiologists do
- 01Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings.
- 02Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound.
- 03Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed.
- 04Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families.
- 05Obtain patients' histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians.
- 06Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 4 years, up to and including 10 years.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from radiologists
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians54% · −81%
- Medical Dosimetrists51% · −65%
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists50% · −75%
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists49% · −76%
- Geneticists49% · group pay
Majors that lead here
- Medicine
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
- Diagnostic Radiology/Nuclear Medicine Combined Specialty Program
- Nuclear Medicine Residency Program
- Nuclear Medicine Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other
- Radiation Oncology Residency Program
- Radiation Oncology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other
- Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program
- Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency Program
- Abdominal Radiology Fellowship Program
- Diagnostic Radiologic Physics Residency Program
- Medical Nuclear Physics Residency Program
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.