Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in San Diego, CA: $119,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in San Diego, CA earns a median $119,483/year (≈ $57.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $106,789 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, the salary landscape for radiologic technologists and technicians is notably favorable, with a 2026 median annual salary projected at $119,483. This figure not only signifies an appealing compensation for healthcare professionals but also positions the region well above the national median of $84,348, reflecting a substantial difference of 41.65%. The salary range in the area varies substantially, from $68,902 at the 10th percentile to $157,293 at the 90th percentile. This wide range is driven largely by factors such as shift differentials and designations of trauma centers, which require skilled professionals available for various scheduling needs, ultimately influencing pay scales. The Insight into the job market confirms that San Diego remains a robust location for employment opportunities in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,902 | $33.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,763 | $48.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,483 | $57.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,867 | $67.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,293 | $75.62 |
Median Salary Position
41.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,391 (2026 est.). At $119,483, the local median is 41.65% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
San Diego median: $119,483/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,220 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | +41.65% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in San Diego, CA earn a median of $119,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.65% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 3.70% above the California state average of $115,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,483 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,789 — a 10.62% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$83,810
2025 BLS Actual
$113,480
2026 Current Est.
$119,483
2019–2027 Growth
+50.1%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 35.4% from $83,810 (2019) to $113,480 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,994 (50.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,902 – $100,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,763 – $119,483 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,483 – $139,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,867 – $157,293 |
RT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologic technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Job Market in San Diego
As of recent estimates, approximately 1,770 radiologic technologists and technicians work in San Diego, CA, amidst a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 111.887. This reality impacts how far a salary stretches in meeting living expenses in the region. Key employers like hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers typically lead the compensation pack, often offering higher pay than urgent care chains and mobile X-ray companies. The considerable spread between entry-level and top-tier salaries can be attributed to various market factors, including the gain from modality cross-training into CT, MRI, and mammography, which enhances earnings potential. Strategies for maximizing pay in this market include pursuing cross-training opportunities and gaining certifications that could command a premium, particularly in esteemed trauma centers that necessitate a high skill level.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in San Diego, CA in 2026?
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in San Diego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted radiologic technologist and technician salary in San Diego?
How much does a radiologic technologist and technician make per hour in San Diego?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $113,480 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the San Diego metropolitan area. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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