Radiologist

Radiologists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases using medical imaging technologies including X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. They interpret images, perform image-guided procedures, and consult with referring physicians. The BLS reports median physician specialist salaries around $350,000-$450,000+ for radiologists. Growth is projected at 3%. Becoming a radiologist requires a medical degree, a 5-year radiology residency, and optional fellowship training — representing 13+ years of post-secondary education.

A Day in the Life

A typical day starts by reviewing a worklist of imaging studies ordered overnight. The morning involves interpreting chest X-rays, abdominal CT scans, and brain MRIs, dictating reports for each case. Mid-morning might include an urgent consult from the ER about a trauma patient's CT findings. After lunch, the radiologist performs a fluoroscopy-guided biopsy procedure. The afternoon includes a tumor board meeting with oncologists and surgeons, teaching radiology residents, and reading afternoon ultrasound studies.

Key Stats

Required Skills