How much does a x-ray doctor make?
a year · about $202 an hour
A typical x-ray doctor in the United States makes $420,860 a year, about $202 an hour, about 8.3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A radiologist studies X-rays, CTs, and MRIs for clues to illness or injury, then writes a report. They share important findings with the doctor who ordered the scan; some also guide tools during procedures.
Did you know? Many patients never meet the radiologist who reads their scans, even though that doctor's report can help reveal a serious health problem.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $89,010 and $594,410How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn an MD or DO, pass licensing exams, complete a one-year internship and four-year radiology residency, and get a state license. After about 13 years of education and training, many start around age 30; a fellowship or ABR board certification can take longer.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
Radiologists may earn differently because of experience, board certification, or extra training in a specialty. In the U.S., pay can also vary by employer and location; some doctors in procedure-focused specialties receive extra compensation for being on call.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Minnesota ($708,340), lowest in Arkansas ($75,600).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $89,010 | $420,860 | $594,410 | about 27,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $708,340 | about 440 |
| South Dakota | $586,010 | about 70 |
| Maryland | $581,510 | — |
| Maine | $555,750 | — |
| North Dakota | $553,140 | about 120 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.acr.org/Practice-Management-Quality-Informatics/Practice-Toolkit/Patient-Res
- www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/professions-diagnostic-radiology
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1224.00
- www.theabr.org/get-certified/diagnostic-radiology
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41679380
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY