The Evolving US Radiologist Pipeline: Trends in Residency Positions, Resident Workforce, and Practicing Radiologists per Unit Population.

Abstract

The United States faces a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 across varied specialties and geography. Within radiology, rising imaging demand, workforce attrition, and limited growth in residency positions have raised concerns about workforce adequacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in US radiology residency positions, workforce supply, and practicing radiologists per unit population. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using data from the National Resident Matching Program (2007-2025), ACGME (2008-2024), Robert Graham Center graduate medical education tables (2000-2023), and the Area Health Resource File (2010-2022). Trends in radiology residency positions, national resident counts, and active radiologists per 100,000 population were analyzed. Radiology residency positions increased by 33% between 2010 and 2025 (from 1,090 to 1,449), while total radiology residents increased by 23% from 2010 to 2024 (from 4,584 to 5,630). The number of practicing radiologists, however, rose by only 12% from 2010 to 2022 (from 34,328 to 38,306), corresponding to a marginal increase from 11.1 to 11.5 radiologists per 100,000 population. The radiologist pipeline has grown but lags overall residency expansion and population needs. The limited growth in practicing radiologists despite increased training positions highlights an ongoing workforce strain. Expanding residency slots and mitigating workforce attrition will be necessary to mitigate increasing workforce gaps.