Top 10 Best States to Be a Radiologist in 2019
We ranked all 50 states, looking at everything from salary to safety to education.
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 top 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 best states.Here they are: from 10 to 1, the best states in the country to be a radiologist.Â
10: Maryland (tie)
Although salaries rank as one of the highest nationwide, the cost-of-living also ranks near the top of the list, as do healthcare premium costs. Still, good safety and education rankings, as well as an overall lower stress level create a positive professional environment.
- Salary: 11 ($422,433)
- Health premium cost: 35
- Safety: 15
- Cost-of-living: 44
- Stress: 12
- Education: 13
- Financial savviness: 13
- Number of radiologists: 14
Total: 157
10: Illinois (tie)
Higher annual income and an average cost-of-living creates a stable financial environment for radiologists. Reported stress levels can be high, but radiologists do have access to a large number of positions and enjoy low healthcare premium costs.
- Salary: 12 ($420,769)
- Health premium cost: 9
- Safety: 32
- Cost-of-living: 21
- Stress: 27
- Education: 19
- Financial savviness: 31
- Number of radiologists: 6
Total: 157
9: Connecticut
High salaries, levels of safety, and education make Connecticut a sought-after professional location for radiologists. These amenities can help combat the high cost-of-living, healthcare premium costs, and stress associated with the area.
- Salary: 5 ($443,303)
- Health premium costs: 41
- Safety: 5
- Cost-of-living: 43
- Stress: 21
- Education: 12
- Financial savviness: 5
- Number of radiologists: 22
Total: 154
8: Michigan
A higher-than-average salary, coupled with a low cost-of-living and low healthcare premiums means the radiologists’ dollar can go further in Michigan. Providers also enjoy access to a larger number of radiology positions throughout the state, giving them greater mobility to move, if desired.
- Salary: 16 ($410,035)
- Health premium cost: 2
- Safety: 29
- Cost-of-living: 7
- Stress: 31
- Education: 37
- Financial savviness: 21
- Number of radiologists: 9
Total: 152
7: Utah
Despite having lower-than-average salaries and a less-attractive cost-of-living, Utah radiologists enjoy safe neighborhoods and low stress levels. Education levels are also high, and an elevated financial savviness indicates radiologists can stretch their dollars to go further in the state.
- Salary: 35 ($388,169)
- Health premium cost: 28
- Safety: 4
- Cost-of-living: 27
- Stress: 2
- Education: 10
- Financial savviness: 8
- Number of radiologists: 32
Total: 146
6: Wisconsin
Middle-of-the-road salaries and cost-of-living can help radiologists create a stable financial environment, particularly in a state with a high level of financial savviness. That level of comfort is augmented with low stress levels, above-average education, and good safety levels.
- Salary: 22 ($403,562)
- Health premium cost: 30
- Safety: 17
- Cost-of-living: 25
- Stress: 8
- Education: 14
- Financial savviness: 10
- Number of radiologists: 18
Total: 144
5: New Jersey
With nearly the top radiologist salary nationwide, providers have enough financial security to support one of the highest costs-of-living in the country. High education levels, average safety levels, and access to a large number of radiology positions can make this state an attractive option for practice.
- Salary: 3 ($452,972)
- Health premium cost: 18
- Safety: 25
- Cost-of-Living: 42
- Stress: 17
- Education: 2
- Financial savviness: 11
- Number of radiologists: 10
Total: 128
4: Iowa
Although Iowa only offers a lower-than-average annual income, it provides access to many other benefits. Low health premium costs, significant safety, low stress, and high education levels can create an optimal professional environment.
- Salary: 30 ($392,090)
- Health premium cost: 11
- Safety: 7
- Cost-of-living: 13
- Stress: 6
- Education: 9
- Financial savviness: 15
- Number of radiologists: 33
Total: 124
3: Minnesota
Minnesota has a lot to offer radiologists. Not only does it provide a higher-than-average salary, but it also boasts the No.1 location for safety and low stress. And, even though the cost of living is higher-than-average, the state offers a high level of financial savviness, so income goes farther.
- Salary: 14 ($419,131)
- Health premium cost: 34
- Safety: 1
- Cost-of-living: 31
- Stress: 1
- Education: 17
- Financial savviness: 4
- Number of radiologists: 15
Total: 117
2: Washington
One of the country’s highest salaries and highest levels of financial savviness pair to more than accommodate for one of the nation’s lowest levels of healthcare premium costs. Despite an overall higher cost-of-living, Washington provides a safe, well-educated environment with relatively low levels of stress.
- Salary: 7 ($437,567)
- Health premium cost: 7
- Safety: 11
- Cost-of-living: 38
- Stress: 16
- Education: 4
- Financial savviness: 6
- Number of radiologists: 17
Total: 106
1: Massachusetts
Massachusetts provides a strong financial environment for providers. One of the highest annual incomes-and the highest national level of financial savviness-combine to help providers accommodate for one of the most significant costs-of-living. Average healthcare premiums costs, high levels of safety, low stress, and high education levels create an attractive professional option.
- Salary: 4 ($445,762)
- Health premium cost: 15
- Safety: 9
- Cost-of-living: 46
- Stress: 3
- Education: 1
- Financial savviness: 1
- Number of radiologists: 7
Total: 86
