Radiography Tech Salary

Boulder vs Fort Collins: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Boulder, CO and Fort Collins, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$93,003
$44.72/hr
Fort Collins, CO
$88,444
$42.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COFort Collins, CO
Median Salary$93,003$88,444
Hourly Rate$44.72$42.53
Entry Level (P10)$69,039$66,080
25th Percentile$79,031$71,102
75th Percentile$113,029$109,649
Top Earner (P90)$122,547$112,376
Total Employed290N/A
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($93,003) and Fort Collins ($88,444) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.BoulderFort CollinsMedian Salary$93,003$88,444Entry Level (P10)$69,039$66,080Top Earner (P90)$122,547$112,376US Median $84,348

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Collins.

The salary gap between Boulder and Fort Collins is $4,559 (5.15%). Boulder's median is +10.26% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $53,508,Fort Collins spans $46,296. Boulder has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$69,039
P25$79,031
Median$93,003
P75$113,029
P90 (Top)$122,547
Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$66,080
P25$71,102
Median$88,444
P75$109,649
P90 (Top)$112,376

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($88,404 effective) pays 1.08% more than Fort Collins ($87,457 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $93,003
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $88,404
Fort Collins
Nominal: $88,444
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $87,457

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,003/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,547)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,404)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Boulder grew 30.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.2% growth in Fort Collins over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+30.7%

$67,580 (2019) → $88,330 (2025)

Fort Collins, CO

+48.2%

$56,680 (2019) → $84,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Boulder or Fort Collins?

Boulder has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $93,003/year, compared to Fort Collins at $88,444/year — a difference of $4,559 (5.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Fort Collins?

Boulder radiologic technologist and technicians earn $44.72/hr while Fort Collins hygienists earn $42.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Fort Collins as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Fort Collins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $88,404, Fort Collins = $87,457), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Boulder vs Fort Collins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $69,039 in Boulder and $66,080 in Fort Collins. The Boulder area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.

Clinically reviewed by Marisol Patel, RT(R), BSData verified by Samuel Kim, RT(R)(CT), MHA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.29% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov