Healthcare providers and healthcare professionals weighing Academic Medical Center roles in Los Angeles, California consider acuity, specialty care, and academic opportunity.
Academic Medical Centers attract healthcare providers and healthcare professionals for high-acuity practice, multidisciplinary care, and access to specialty programs that support complex patient populations. The teaching mission and research activity also appeal to those pursuing career development, publications, and fellowship-level experience.
USC Department of Radiology stands out for body imaging and cardiothoracic subspecialty work, and it suits radiologists, advanced practice providers, imaging technologists, and research staff near neighborhoods such as Lincoln Heights and Brooklyn Heights. Its academic setting supports faculty appointments, resident teaching, and collaborative research across imaging departments.
Academic centers commonly hire radiologists, body imaging and cardiothoracic specialists, advanced practice providers, and imaging technologists because these roles manage high-complexity imaging and interdepartmental consults. Research coordinators and educators are also in demand to support trials, trainee programs, and quality improvement initiatives.
Typical pay for Academic Medical Center roles in Los Angeles varies by profession, based on jobs from the last two years. For Physician, typical pay ranges from $340,000 to $452,500 per year, averaging $415,000. These pay ranges reflect jobs across 2 Academic Medical Centers in Los Angeles.
Based on limited placement history — data will improve as more roles are filled.
The work at Academic Medical Centers in Los Angeles is shaped by the specialties they hire, the patient mix and pace, the accreditations facilities hold, and what the experience builds over a career.
Physician roles concentrate in Body Imaging Specialist and Cardiothoracic Radiologist positions. Those roles routinely involve high-volume cross-sectional and thoracic imaging, image-guided procedure coordination, and regular collaboration with surgical and oncology teams, including staging, surveillance, and perioperative imaging.
Patient mix skews toward complex tertiary referrals and high-acuity surgical and oncologic imaging cases, reflecting the procedural and consultative demands of body imaging and cardiothoracic services. Pace ranges from scheduled high-volume diagnostic work to rapid consults tied to operative and inpatient care, and teams routinely coordinate across radiology, cardiothoracic surgery, and pulmonology with frequent communication among trainees, attendings, and advanced practice providers.
Time in these academic imaging settings builds subspecialty interpretation skills, procedural coordination experience, and proficiency presenting findings in multidisciplinary conferences, while exposing healthcare providers to complex case mix and advanced imaging protocols. Roles in these settings typically expect current state licensure and standard life-support certification for the profession. Work experience also builds teaching and research experience given the dense concentration of academic-affiliated hospitals in Los Angeles, California.
Among these cities, Atlanta, GA has the lowest average weekly pay at $7,433 and Sacramento, CA has the highest at $8,544 based on averaged salary data over the last two years, and San Francisco, CA compares in the middle at $7,608. The comparison helps healthcare professionals evaluate relative pay in nearby academic medical center markets, and each market presents an urban setting with academic and tertiary care concentrations.
| City | Avg Pay/week | Facilities | Closed Roles | Related Professions | Accreditations | Most Common Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $8,365 | 4 | 7 | Physician | – | – |
| Atlanta, GA | $7,440 | 4 | 3 | Leadership and Physician | – | – |
| San Antonio, TX | $6,771 | 3 | 19 | Advanced Practice, Leadership, and Physician | – | – |
For a healthcare provider or healthcare professional on a temporary assignment, Los Angeles, California offers a distinct cost of living, neighborhoods, climate, and local highlights to weigh.
Los Angeles has a cost of living well above the national average, a population of about 3.9 million, and a median household income near $68,000. The local economy relies on entertainment, higher education, technology, and a large healthcare sector that supports academic medical centers and specialty care. The city presents wide variation in housing and commuting times, so healthcare providers often balance neighborhood convenience against overall living costs.
USC Department of Radiology sits near Boston Heights, Ramona Gardens, and Lincoln Heights, each offering distinct options for short assignments. Boston Heights presents a residential feel with walkable blocks that work for short-term housing and easy access to hospital shifts. Ramona Gardens presents more affordable rental options that work for healthcare professionals prioritizing budget and proximity. Lincoln Heights presents hillside views and a growing dining scene that work for those seeking neighborhood character within a short commute to academic facilities.
Los Angeles presents a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Summers present low humidity and frequent sunshine, so healthcare providers plan light layers, sun protection, and evening options for outdoor activities. Winters present cooler evenings and most of the annual rainfall, so healthcare professionals pack a light rain jacket and versatile layers for shift work and off-duty time.
Los Angeles presents cultural attractions such as the Getty Center and the museums of Exposition Park, outdoor options including Griffith Park and the Los Angeles River greenways, and coastal escapes at Santa Monica and Venice that present easy weekend access. The city presents a broad dining scene from Grand Central Market to neighborhood taquerias that present quick meal options for busy schedules.
Los Angeles, California has 2 Academic Medical Centers.
Typical pay varies by profession: Physician: typically $340,000 to $452,500 per year, averaging $415,000.
Specialties vary by profession: Physician: Body Imaging Specialist, Cardiothoracic Radiologist.
Most Academic Medical Center roles require relevant clinical experience from healthcare providers, typically 1 to 3 years for staff positions and completion of residency or fellowship for physicians. Standard credentials include a current state license, Basic Life Support certification, and role-specific certifications such as ACLS or specialty board certification for physicians.
These Academic Medical Centers hire physicians in Los Angeles, California.