Radiologist
Detect Critical Conditions
Guide Life-Saving Decisions
Practice Advanced Medicine
Undergraduate
Graduate
Doctor of Medicine
Post-Graduate
No degrees available
This is the educational pathway. There may be additional tests or licensure requirements necessary before begining to practice in the field. Consult your state guidelines for more. information.
Career Reality
Average Salary
Physicians, including radiologists, earn a median annual wage equal to or greater than $239,200 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Market Demand
Employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow about 3% from 2023 to 2033, with continued demand driven by aging populations and diagnostic needs.
Work Environment
Hospitals, imaging centers, physician groups, academic medical centers, and private practice. Combination of clinical reading rooms and patient interaction depending on specialty.
Common Employers
Hospitals, healthcare systems, outpatient imaging centers, private radiology practices, and academic medical institutions.
Career Advancement
Progression into subspecialties such as interventional radiology, neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, leadership roles in imaging departments, or private practice partnership.
Popular Titles
Core Areas of Impact
Is this career right for you?
What is the role of a radiologist?
A radiologist is a medical doctor who interprets medical imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds to diagnose and monitor disease.
What does a typical day look like?
Reviewing and interpreting imaging studies, consulting with physicians, performing image-guided procedures if specialized in interventional radiology, and documenting diagnostic findings.
Where do radiologists work?
Radiologists work in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, private practices, and academic medical institutions.
What are the common job titles and career paths?
Common roles include Diagnostic Radiologist and Interventional Radiologist. Career paths may lead to subspecialty certification, department leadership, or academic medicine.
Who is this career a good fit for?
This career suits individuals who excel in science, are detail-oriented, comfortable with high responsibility, and interested in advanced medical technology.
What are the biggest rewards of this career?
Rewards include high earning potential, intellectual challenge, strong demand, and direct impact on patient diagnosis and treatment.
What does long-term growth look like?
Long-term growth includes subspecialization, leadership in imaging departments, private practice partnership, or academic research roles.
What is the educational pathway to become a radiologist?
To become a radiologist, you must complete medical school and postgraduate medical training.
The pathway includes:
Bachelor’s degree with required pre-med science coursework
Medical school leading to an MD or DO degree
Residency in diagnostic radiology, typically four years
Optional fellowship for subspecialization
Board certification and state medical licensure
Sara Schenirer offers a comprehensive Pre-Med and Nursing/Health Science Track within the BA in Psychology. This versatile undergraduate program embeds all common pre-med prerequisites such as biology, chemistry, physics, and related sciences, accelerating preparation for medical school applications.
The standard pathway is undergraduate pre-med preparation, medical school, radiology residency, and board certification.
