In a new survey of salaries in healthcare, radiologists enjoyed the second-strongest rate of growth among physician specialists. But they were in the middle of the pack among specialists when it came to overall salary levels.
Radiology had an average starting salary of $455,000 during the 2021/2022 survey period, up 13.4% compared with an average starting salary of $401,000 in 2020/2021, according to a survey released by healthcare recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins.
Meanwhile, ob/gyn physicians saw salary growth of 14%, although their overall starting salaries lagged radiologists, at $332,000 for the 2021/2022 survey period.
Despite having the second-highest growth rate, radiologist salaries landed at about the middle of the pack, as shown in the table below:
| Starting salary growth by medical specialty, 2021/2022 | ||
| Specialty | Starting salary | Percent change |
| Orthopedic surgery | $565,000 | +3% |
| Cardiology (invasive) | $527,000 | -16% |
| Urology | $510,000 | +3% |
| Gastroenterology | $486,000 | +7% |
| Cardiology (noninvasive) | $484,000 | +8% |
| Radiology | $455,000 | +13.4% |
| Pulmonology/Critical care | $412,000 | +6% |
| Hematology/Oncology | $404,000 | +5% |
| Anesthesiology | $400,000 | +8% |
| Oral maxillofacial | $368,000 | +5% |
| Dermatology | $368,000 | -3% |
| Ob/Gyn | $332,000 | +14% |
| Psychiatry | $299,000 | +7% |
The report noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limiting effect on physicians' salaries as elective procedures were postponed. In 2022, salaries rebounded, according to the report.
