10 Best States for Radiologists in 2025

Across the U.S., radiologists’ salaries, job availability, healthcare infrastructure, and regional lifestyles vary. But one thing is clear: the right location can set you up for a thriving career.

Our guide gives a comprehensive overview of the key factors that matter most to radiologists: average salary data, demand for diagnostic and interventional expertise, top-tier hospital systems, malpractice environments, and regional lifestyle perks. Whether you're drawn to academic medical centers, supportive healthcare legislation, or prioritizing cost of living and access to amenities, our state-by-state breakdown helps you find the locations where you can truly thrive.

We built the top 10 best states for radiologists with insights about the 2025 healthcare job market and data from Era experts. Whether you’re looking for a place with solid cost-of-living, a fulfilling career caring for communities in need, or place with better pay and strong malpractice protections, this list has something for you.

Let’s dive into the data.

A note on data: Employment rates, location quotients, and salaries come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries are based on full time employment data. Locums work may be higher. 

Best States for Radiologists

1. Wisconsin
2. Minnesota
3. Michigan
4. Indiana
5. Arizona
6. North Carolina
7. Pennsylvania
8. Kentucky
9. Massachusetts
10. New York

1. Wisconsin

Wisconsin stands out as a premier destination for radiologists not only for its competitive salaries, which often rank among the nation's highest when adjusted for the state's manageable cost of living, but also for its significant and growing demand. This demand is driven by an aging population and a pervasive network of regional health systems serving both urban and extensive rural communities. This landscape creates exceptional job security and diverse practice opportunities, from large multi-specialty groups in cities like Madison and Milwaukee to critical access hospital roles that offer broad generalist experience and significant autonomy.

Wisconsin is also home to pioneering institutions like the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, which provides cutting-edge academic and research pathways, particularly in advanced imaging and informatics. Furthermore, the state's reputation for a collaborative, collegial medical culture, combined with a relaxed Midwestern lifestyle offering extensive outdoor recreation, makes it an compelling choice for radiologists seeking a balanced and rewarding career where their expertise is both highly valued and well-compensated.

• Best for: Very high salary, high demand area.
• Average salary: $600,000
• Average hourly wage: ~$270-320/hr 
• Location quotient: 2.0
• Radiology Locum Tenens Jobs in Wisconsin

2. Minnesota

Minnesota offers radiologists a top-tier salary environment anchored by one of the most respected healthcare ecosystems in the country. The state's allure is fundamentally tied to its concentration of world-renowned hospital systems, most notably the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, consistently ranked #1 nationally, and the M Health Fairview network affiliated with the University of Minnesota.

The progressive urban centers of the Twin Cities are complemented by strong community hospital networks, allowing for varied practice settings. When paired with Minnesota's emphasis on physician well-being, strong malpractice tort reforms, and a vibrant quality of life, the state delivers a powerful package where financial compensation is matched by the intellectual reward of practicing at the forefront of radiology.

• Best for: High pay, high cost-of-living but high quality of life, strong concentration of hospitals, academic centers and radiology physicians.
• Average salary: $600,000
• Average hourly wage: ~$280-330/hr
• Location quotient: 1.7
• Radiologist Locum Tenens Jobs in Minnesota

3. Michigan

The University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor stands as a top-ten national powerhouse, driving innovation in imaging informatics, interventional radiology, and neuroimaging, and attracting complex referrals from across the globe. Simultaneously, integrated networks like Corewell Health (formed from Beaumont and Spectrum Health) and Henry Ford Health System provide a mosaic of practice environments—from cutting-edge metropolitan tertiary centers to vital community hospitals that serve as the backbone of regional care across both peninsulas.

This diversity allows radiologists to tailor their career to exact preferences, whether pursuing groundbreaking research and subspecialty mastery or embracing the vital role of a generalist in a smaller city where their diagnostic expertise is foundational to local care. The state's unique geography also supports a wide range of lifestyles, from vibrant, culturally rich urban centers to serene Great Lakes shorelines and vast recreational areas. Michigan’s enduring legacy in medicine, combined with its ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure and a palpable sense of mission in serving diverse populations, creates a dynamic and resilient professional home for radiologists of all specialties.

• Best for: A diverse mix of academic access, solid pay, and community-focused care
• Average salary: $620,000
• Average hourly wage: ~$340–375/hr
• Location quotient: 1.4
• Locum Tenens Jobs in Michigan

4. Indiana

Indiana merges truly competitive salaries with one of the most favorable cost-of-living indices in the Midwest. Here, it's easy to find affordable spacious housing in strong school districts as well as a lower overall financial stress threshold. The clinical landscape is anchored by robust academic systems like Indiana University Health in Indianapolis—a national leader in oncology and transplantation—and the Purdue University collaboration for biomedical engineering, offering clear pathways for research and academic appointment. These hubs are complemented by strong regional networks such as Beacon Health in the north and Community Health Network, providing diverse practice models from tertiary-care academia to high-volume community settings.

The state’s appeal is further defined by its authentic small-town lifestyle, even within its metropolitan areas. This environment is ideal for those seeking meaningful patient-population impact without the congestion and pace of coastal megacities. With a manageable patient-to-physician ratio and a healthcare ethos focused on practical, efficient care, Indiana offers a career that is both financially rewarding and personally sustainable.

• Best for: Competitive pay, great cost-of-living, solid academic systems and small town lifestyle
• Average salary: $580,000
• Average hourly wage: $260-310/hr
• Location quotient: 1.7
• Radiologist Locum Tenens Jobs in Indiana

5. Arizona

Arizona has rapidly evolved into a high-demand destination for radiologists, fueled by one of the fastest-growing and aging populations in the nation. This demographic surge creates consistent demand across all imaging modalities and practice settings. The state's clinical landscape is dominated by major, innovative systems such as the Mayo Clinic's Arizona campus—a leader in integrated, subspecialty-focused radiology—and Banner Health, one of the largest non-profit health systems in the country, known for its tele-radiology hubs and investment in AI integration. This is complemented by the University of Arizona's academic engine and the thriving Phoenix Children's Hospital, offering deep subspecialty and research avenues.

Beyond the hospital walls, Arizona's appeal is magnified by its unique blend of vibrant, historic cities like Tucson and Scottsdale, which offer rich cultural amenities alongside stunning natural landscapes that provide a premier outdoor lifestyle. The climate and environment are significant draws, but it's the confluence of high-volume, technologically advanced practice within a growing, economically vibrant region that makes the state particularly compelling.

• Best for: High demand, major academic and hospital systems, strong historic cities
• Average salary: $620,000
• Average hourly wage: $300-350/hr
• Location quotient: 1.5
• Locum Tenens Jobs in Arizona

6. North Carolina

North Carolina's high demand for radiologists is driven by both significant population growth and its status as a premier hub for healthcare innovation, anchored by world-class academic institutions. The Research Triangle area is home to Duke University Hospital and the University of North Carolina Hospitals, systems that are national leaders in areas like cancer imaging, cardiovascular radiology, and health policy, providing unmatched academic and research collaboration alongside cutting-edge clinical practice.

This academic excellence is woven into a broader tapestry of high-quality care, with expansive networks like Atrium Health and Novant Health offering diverse community and tertiary hospital roles across the state, from the mountains to the coast. North Carolina’s balanced appeal lies in this variety: a radiologist can engage in pioneering translational research in the Triangle, lead a critical imaging service in a fast-growing city like Charlotte, or enjoy a collegial, slower-paced practice in a picturesque smaller community—all within a single state. Coupled with a temperate climate and a reputation for Southern hospitality, North Carolina offers a sustainable career path alongside a comfortable lifestyle.

• Best for: High demand, affordable cost-of-living, strong pay
• Average salary: $590,000
• Average hourly wage: $280-300/hr
• Location quotient: 1.5
• Locum Tenens Jobs in North Carolina

7. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's below-average cost of living in its many vibrant small cities and college towns allows physicians to enjoy a high quality of life, with access to renowned cultural institutions, outdoor recreation from the Pocono Mountains to the Great Lakes, and a rich sense of community. This economic advantage is matched by a healthcare ecosystem that ranges from world-class academic powerhouses like the University of Pennsylvania Health System and UPMC in Pittsburgh.

This structure makes Pennsylvania exceptionally conducive to locum tenens roles with a rural or regional focus. For radiologists seeking autonomy and broad-spectrum practice, the numerous critical access and community hospitals in the state's picturesque small towns offer the chance to be the imaging expert, directly impacting community health. The proximity of these roles to major academic centers also facilitates unique hybrid opportunities, such as teleradiology partnerships or per diem work, allowing for a customized career that balances the collegial pace of a regional practice with the intellectual stimulation of metropolitan medicine.

• Best for: Affordable cost-of-living, scenic, good for rural locum physicians, regional hospitals and academic centers
• Average salary: $580,000
• Average hourly wage: $270–$320/hr
• Location quotient: 1.2
• Locum Tenens Jobs in Pennsylvania

8. Kentucky

For radiologists interested in Kentucky, the financial equation here is powerful, but the true draw is the profound professional satisfaction found in addressing critical healthcare needs, particularly in rural and Appalachian communities. Systems like the University of Kentucky HealthCare and Baptist Health are not only top-tier academic and clinical centers but also serve as vital hubs for outreach, innovation in telemedicine, and specialized programs in oncology and cardiology that directly serve a high-need population.

For the radiologist, this translates into a career of significant autonomy and diagnostic importance. In many community hospitals, radiologists are essential linchpins, interpreting a wide variety of cases and guiding local care teams with their expertise. The state’s focus on expanding healthcare access has led to growing investment in imaging technology even in smaller facilities. Coupled with Kentucky's famed natural beauty and a culture of genuine hospitality, the state offers a deeply connected and balanced life.

• Best for: Rural focus, low cost of living, competitive salaries
• Average salary: $550,000
• Average hourly wage: $260–$300/hr
• Location quotient: 1.3
• Locum Tenens Jobs in Kentucky

9. Massachusetts

Like it’s other east coast counterparts, Massachusetts is best for experienced professionals with direct ties to its academic and clinical institutions and those in in-demand subspecialties. Prestigious academic medical centers like Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard, and Mass General, are key hubs for the physician who divides their time between clinical and academic practice. 

The state has many amenities, including Boston’s arts and food scene. Cost of living is very high and malpractice risk is greater than in other states, partly due to regulatory overhead. But for a strategic radiologist locum, it may be a very attractive option.

• Best for: Great opportunities for advanced subspecialists, high salary, but high cost of living
• Average salary: $620-700,000
• Average hourly wage: $320–$370/hr
• Location quotient: 1.0
• Locum Tenens Jobs in Massachusetts

10. New York

New York's unparalleled healthcare network includes world-leading institutions like NewYork-Presbyterian, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the Mount Sinai Health System, which serve as international referral centers for the most challenging cases and offer limitless academic, research, and highly niche subspecialty pathways. This metropolitan medicine is unmatched in its depth and intensity. Yet, New York's unique strength lies in its extraordinary variety; beyond the iconic urban centers lies a vast network of high-quality community hospitals, regional medical centers in the Hudson Valley, and critical access facilities in the Adirondacks and rural counties, providing a starkly different but equally vital practice environment.

This duality allows radiologists to craft a career that can evolve over time, from the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of a Manhattan academic department to a leadership role in a scenic upstate community where their diagnostic acumen is the cornerstone of local care. The state's immense size and diversity mean one can find a niche in virtually any subspecialty or practice setting imaginable. While the cost of living in New York City is formidable, the expansive state offers more affordable, family-friendly regions.

• Best for: Great pay with access to some of the country's best hospital systems and a mix of rural and urban placements
• Average salary: $620-700,000 
• Average hourly wage: $320–$380/hr
• Location quotient: .8
• Locum Tenens Jobs in New York

How We Chose the Best States for Locum Tenens

Curating a list of the top states for locum tenens physicians requires balancing quantitative data with qualitative factors that impact career satisfaction and quality of life. Our method focused on four key pillars:

1. Compensation & Job Market: We analyzed average salaries, hourly wages, and employment data to identify states where locum tenens are competitively compensated. Location quotients helped determine market saturation—whether a state has higher demand (quotient >1) or fewer opportunities (quotient <1) relative to national averages.
2. Hospital Systems & Academic Opportunities: States with nationally ranked medical schools scored higher, as these institutions offer career growth, research opportunities, and cutting-edge practice environments.
3. Quality of Life & Cost of Living: We considered taxes, housing affordability, and lifestyle perks (e.g., outdoor recreation, urban amenities). States with no income tax (Florida) or high salary-to-cost-of-living ratios (Wisconsin, Ohio) gained an edge.
4. Legislation & Practice Environment: Malpractice climates, physician-friendly tort reforms, and state healthcare policies were factored in. 

Salary and employment numbers were critical to our understanding of the state of the job market, but we also incorporated insights from physician recruiters and regional trends (e.g., aging populations in rural areas and competitive metropolitan environments) to ensure our recommendations reflect real-world desirability. The result is a carefully assembled list designed to both reflect current patterns and support you as you make decisions about your locum tenens journey.

Let Us Help You Find Your Next Locum Tenens Role

Whether you're exploring new radiology opportunities for better pay, more flexibility, or a fresh environment, Era Locums is here to connect skilled radiologists with top roles across the country. From prestigious academic medical centers to high-demand community hospitals, we help you find positions that match your goals: offering competitive compensation, flexible scheduling, and dedicated support every step of the way.

Your ideal practice setting is just a click away.