Nationwide, America boasts approximately 329.1 million people. In some form, the healthcare system must serve everyone, including providing imaging services. According to the 2017 Association of American Medical Colleges Physician Specialty Data Report, there are 36,154 active radiologists living throughout the United States.Many choose more populated areas, but some gravitate toward more rural environments. And, there are many factors that go into what makes one location more attractive than another. To help providers rate or choose a location, we compiled data from various sources, such as personal finance website WalletHub, U.S. News & World Report, the Bureau of Statistics, and the Association of American Medical Colleges, to rank the worst 10 states for radiologists for 2019.Using eight metrics, we ranked states from one to 50. The best state got a one; the worst received a 50. Compiling those numbers revealed the worst states.If you missed it, you can read about the best states here.
We ranked all 50 states, looking at everything from salary to safety to education.
Tennessee is widely known for a vibrant music scene, but radiologists could find it less appealing. Even though the cost-of-living is low, safety, salary, and education levels drop the state toward the bottom of the list.
With national parks, South Dakota is a vacation destination. But, it might not be the right place for radiologists to settle. Stress levels are low, but so are annual salaries. Paired with an average cost-of-living and high healthcare premiums, the state becomes less attractive.
New Mexico has part of the Painted Desert, but it doesn’t have much to draw radiologists. Salaries are low, safety is below average, education is near the bottom of the list, people are stressed, and there are few radiologist positions available.
While Arkansas's cost-of-living can be a strong draw, radiologists should consider more before moving here. Evaluate safety, financial savviness, and stress before setting up shop, and be sure there’s a location that can support a radiologist.
Known for beaches and colonial heritage, South Carolina is nationally historic. But, that doesn’t make it prime for radiology. Lower salaries and financial savviness make it harder to keep pace with an average cost-of-living. Stress levels are high, and safety is lower, too.
Mountain views make West Virginia beautiful, but it might not be an inviting place to practice. A higher cost-of-living doesn’t pair well with a lower-end salary. Additionally, consider safety, stress, and education levels before accepting a position or opening a practice.
Oklahoma’s wide-open spaces don’t necessary translate into wide-open radiology opportunities. As a rural state, there are fewer existing radiology positions, and salaries fall below the national average.
The Big Easy doesn’t live up to its name for radiologists. Louisiana has the highest stress level nationally, as well as low safety and education levels. Salaries, healthcare premiums, and the cost-of-living are roughly average, though.
Having the highest salary for radiologists could make Alaska an easy pick. However, safety, cost-of-living, stress, and education factors might make it a difficult place to practice. There are also few existing radiology positions.
Although Mississippi boasts the nation's lowest cost-of-living, it also offers one of the lowest salaries. Poor safety, stress, education, and financial savviness can make it difficult for a radiologist to be professionally successful.
