What is a radiologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Radiologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries using medical imaging or radiology procedures such as x-rays, CT or computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and positron emission tomography.

To be a radiologist, one must have at least 13 years of education, including medical school, residency, and specialized training fellowships. You need to be certified by the Amerian Board of Radiology and continue learning about new technologies and advancements throughout your career.

To be a diagnostic radiologist who uses imaging procedures to see inside the body, you will need to try your hand at interventional radiology and diagnose and treat patients using image-guided x-rays and MRIs. You will explore radiation oncology and prescribe and oversee cancer patient's treatment plans. You will use radiation therapy to treat cancer, monitor patients' progress, and rejoice when patients are cured. For this demanding and rewarding career, you can make up to $500,000 per year.

ScoreRadiologistUS Average
Salary
10.0

Avg. Salary $298,405

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
9.9

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.16%

Asian 18.63%

Black or African American 5.07%

Hispanic or Latino 9.55%

Unknown 4.45%

White 62.15%

Gender

female 58.63%

male 41.38%

Age - 48
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48
Stress Level
9.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
10.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.3

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Radiologist career paths

Key steps to become a radiologist

  1. Explore radiologist education requirements

    Most common radiologist degrees

    Bachelor's

    31.1 %

    Associate

    27.8 %

    Doctorate

    16.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific radiologist skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients29.17%
    Pacs9.65%
    Patient Care9.52%
    Mammography6.32%
    Ct Scan5.87%
  3. Complete relevant radiologist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New radiologists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a radiologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real radiologist resumes.
  4. Research radiologist duties and responsibilities

    • Perform general radiology with emphasis on mammography, especially breast procedures.
    • Advocate for upgrade to digital mammography from film screen.
    • Experience with CR and DR equipment -Experience with fluoroscopic exams
    • Select as one of the top teachers by radiology residents.
  5. Prepare your radiologist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your radiologist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a radiologist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Radiologist Resume templates

    Build a professional Radiologist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Radiologist resume.
    Radiologist Resume
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    Radiologist Resume
    Radiologist Resume
    Radiologist Resume
  6. Apply for radiologist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a radiologist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Radiologist Job

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Average radiologist salary

The average Radiologist salary in the United States is $298,405 per year or $143 per hour. Radiologist salaries range between $124,000 and $714,000 per year.

Average Radiologist Salary
$298,405 Yearly
$143.46 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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