Radiography Tech Salary

Boulder vs Durango: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Boulder, CO
$93,003
$44.72/hr
Durango, CO
$85,183
$40.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, CODurango, CO
Median Salary$93,003$85,183
Hourly Rate$44.72$40.96
Entry Level (P10)$69,039$66,821
25th Percentile$79,031$72,965
75th Percentile$113,029$100,032
Top Earner (P90)$122,547$120,237
Total Employed2905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($93,003) and Durango ($85,183) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.BoulderDurangoMedian Salary$93,003$85,183Entry Level (P10)$69,039$66,821Top Earner (P90)$122,547$120,237US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boulder and Durango is $7,820 (9.18%). 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,Durango spans $53,416. 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
Durango
P10 (Entry)$66,821
P25$72,965
Median$85,183
P75$100,032
P90 (Top)$120,237

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($88,404 effective) pays 8.97% more than Durango ($81,127 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $93,003
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $88,404
Durango
Nominal: $85,183
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $81,127

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 Durango 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 5.4% growth in Durango over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+30.7%

$67,580 (2019) → $88,330 (2025)

Durango, CO

+5.4%

$76,743 (2024) → $80,903 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boulder has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $93,003/year, compared to Durango at $85,183/year — a difference of $7,820 (9.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Durango?

Boulder radiologic technologist and technicians earn $44.72/hr while Durango hygienists earn $40.96/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Durango. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $88,404, Durango = $81,127), job availability (290 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $69,039 in Boulder and $66,821 in Durango. 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