Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $71.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologic technologist and technician working in San Francisco, CA runs $71.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $149,280 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $62.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,577 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for radiologic technologists and technicians in San Francisco, CA, is projected to be $71.78. This figure significantly surpasses the national hourly median of $40.55, representing a 76.98% increase. Such a competitive pay scale allows part-time professionals working three days a week to earn a substantial income while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. This profession typically finds itself in varied settings, including hospital imaging suites, outpatient imaging centers, and urgent care facilities. Entry-level techs can expect to earn around $45.55 per hour, while the top earners in the field can achieve rates up to $89.50 per hour, reflecting the diverse range of experience and specialization within the profession—official data from BLS estimates validates these figures for San Francisco.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.55 | $364.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.96 | $479.70 |
| Median (P50) | $71.78 | $574.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.85 | $686.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.50 | $715.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $71.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.78/hr, a radiologic technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $149,294 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,131. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,871.05 | $12,441 | $149,294 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,722.63 | $7,465 | $89,577 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,148.42 | $4,976 | $59,718 |
Compare RT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician (San Francisco) | $71.78 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Respiratory Therapist (National Avg) | $37.72 |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $149,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 76.98% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 29.60% above the California state average of $115,185.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.78/hr = $89,577/year (purchasing power: $77,480).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $149,294/year (purchasing power: $129,133).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in San Francisco grew 35.9% from $50.17/hr (2019) to $68.17/hr (2025). At a 5.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.57/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem radiologic technologists and technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Radiologic Technologist and Technician in San Francisco
For those considering part-time work, a radiologic technologist and technician working 24 hours a week could earn around $89,221 annually when working the full 52 weeks. However, many opt for per-diem roles, which typically offer more variability in pay. Per diem radiologic technologist and technician pay in San Francisco can range from $40 to $60 per hour for standard roles, while cross-trained professionals in CT or MRI can command between $50 and $75. Travel positions, especially in these modalities, are even more lucrative, with weekly contracts ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. Differences in hourly rates can often be attributed to employer types, with hospitals frequently offering higher rates but may come with benefits such as health insurance. In contrast, outpatient centers and agency positions may provide higher hourly wages but lack the same level of benefits. When negotiating hourly pay, it’s wise to consider the trade-off between higher wages and benefits, potentially leveraging multiple job offers to achieve optimal terms.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in San Francisco in 2026?
How much do part-time radiologic technologists and technicians make in San Francisco?
Are radiologic technologists and technicians in San Francisco paid hourly or salary?
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Do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in San Francisco?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for radiologic technologists and technicians in San Francisco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
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