Radiologist salary: What does a radiologist earn in Germany?

The Radiology is one of the most innovative and sought-after specialisms in medicine. After studying medicine and completing five years of further training, radiologists use imaging techniques such as X-rays, computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose and treat diseases. In 2022, there were 9,696 working radiologists in Germany, 3,604 of whom were female doctors. Around half work in the outpatient sector, while the other half work in the inpatient sector. The starting salary for radiologists is around €87,700 per year.

The average radiologist salary in Germany is €107,000 per year, with a salary range of between €80,000 and €140,000. Earning potential depends on various factors, such as professional experience, specialisation, place of work and whether you work as an employed specialist in a clinic or independently in your own radiology practice. Self-employed radiologists potentially have the highest income among doctors in private practice in Germany.

Earning opportunities for radiologists in Germany

As a radiologist in Germany, you have a wide range of opportunities to earn an attractive salary. Whether you decide to work in a clinic or have your own practice depends on your personal preferences and career goals. Your earnings will be influenced by various factors, such as your professional experience, specialisation and location.

Salaries for employed radiologists in clinics and hospitals

In clinics and hospitals, your salary as a radiologist depends on the applicable collective agreement and your position. Assistant doctors in radiology can expect a basic salary of €5,084.92 in their first year. As your professional experience increases, so do your earnings: specialists from the 3rd year onwards earn an average of €7,768.09, while senior consultants can earn a salary of €10,595.38 from the 2nd year onwards.

Income for established radiologists with their own practice

As a registered radiologist with your own practice, you have the opportunity to earn an above-average income. According to the Federal Statistical Office, radiology practices generated the highest income of all specialist practices in 2021 with an average of €2,836,000. After deducting staff and material costs, this leaves a considerable net income of €1,103,000 - almost four times higher than the average for all medical practices (€336,000). This puts the income of radiology practice owners at a similar level to that of chief physicians in larger hospitals.

Radiologist salary: Which factors influence the salary

In addition to the choice between employment and branch office, there are other aspects that can affect your salary as a radiologist:

• Professional experience: As you gain more years in the profession, your earnings usually increase too, whether due to higher tariff groups or growing practice turnover.
• Specialisation: Focusing on certain examination methods or clinical pictures can have a positive impact on your income.
• Additional qualifications: Further training, e.g. in the field of interventional radiology or neuroradiology, can have a salary-increasing effect.
• Location: Depending on the region and supply requirements, earning potential can vary, with cities often offering higher salaries than rural areas.
• Gender: The gender pay gap for radiologists is between 10 % and 25 %, depending on the region and working environment, with female radiologists earning on average up to 13 % less than their male colleagues.

Radiology is one of the most lucrative specialisms in medicine. With an average monthly salary of €8,750 or an annual salary of €105,000 (hourly wage: €55), radiologists are well above the income level of many other specialist groups. Whether as an employee or self-employed, a career in radiology offers you excellent financial prospects and the opportunity to contribute your expertise in an exciting, promising field.

Radiologist salary: Salary differences between different areas of work

The salary of radiologists can vary depending on the sub-speciality and area of work. Radiologists play an important role in both inpatient and outpatient care and have attractive earning potential. They can also earn interesting salaries in research and teaching.

Salaries in inpatient and outpatient care

In clinics and hospitals, radiologist salaries are based on collective agreements and increase with professional experience and position. An assistant physician earns an average of €79,000, a specialist physician €96,000, a senior physician €134,000 and a head physician up to €360,000 per year. In radiological practices, radiologists in private practice have even higher earning potential with an average net income of € 1,103,000 per year. However, they also have to bear more costs for staff, equipment and administration.

Earning opportunities in research and teaching

In addition to clinical work, radiologists can also earn attractive salaries in research and teaching. They can work as research assistants, lecturers or professors at universities and research institutions. The radiology salary here is based on the collective agreements for the public sector or individual agreements. In addition to their basic salary, they can also acquire third-party funding for projects or receive grants. Overall, the earning potential is often lower than in practice, but they offer more freedom and organisational opportunities in research.

To summarise, it can be said that radiologist salaries are above average in all areas. Radiologists can earn attractive salaries in clinics as well as in medical practices and research. The exact amount depends on various factors such as professional experience, position and location. With a sound education and continuous further training, a wide range of career paths with good earning potential are open to you as a radiologist.

Prospects and career opportunities in radiology

Radiology is an exciting and future-oriented medical speciality that offers you a wide range of prospects and career opportunities as a prospective radiologist. Due to the increasing importance of imaging procedures in medical diagnostics and therapy, the demand for qualified specialists is constantly growing. According to current medical statistics, the number of working radiologists has risen compared to the previous year and experts expect demand to increase in the future.

In addition to clinical work in hospitals and practices, as a radiologist you will have attractive career opportunities in research, teaching or industry, for example with manufacturers of medical equipment or in the pharmaceutical sector. Additional qualifications and specialisations increase your chances on the job market and improve your earning prospects.

Overall, radiology offers you excellent opportunities for a successful and fulfilling career as a full-time specialist as a sought-after and varied speciality. With your expertise, you will make a significant contribution to high-quality patient care and actively shape the future of medicine. Radiology is a field with bright prospects for dedicated doctors who want to combine their passion for technology and innovation with a meaningful job.