Radiography Tech Salary

Boulder vs Grand Junction: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Boulder, CO
$93,003
$44.72/hr
Grand Junction, CO
$82,853
$39.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COGrand Junction, CO
Median Salary$93,003$82,853
Hourly Rate$44.72$39.83
Entry Level (P10)$69,039$65,027
25th Percentile$79,031$73,408
75th Percentile$113,029$109,649
Top Earner (P90)$122,547$114,492
Total Employed290140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($93,003) and Grand Junction ($82,853) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.BoulderGrand JunctionMedian Salary$93,003$82,853Entry Level (P10)$69,039$65,027Top Earner (P90)$122,547$114,492US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boulder and Grand Junction is $10,150 (12.25%). 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,Grand Junction spans $49,465. 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
Grand Junction
P10 (Entry)$65,027
P25$73,408
Median$82,853
P75$109,649
P90 (Top)$114,492

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($88,404 effective) pays 1.87% more than Grand Junction ($86,779 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $93,003
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $88,404
Grand Junction
Nominal: $82,853
CoL Index: 95.476
Adjusted: $86,779

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 Grand Junction 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 24.8% growth in Grand Junction over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+30.7%

$67,580 (2019) → $88,330 (2025)

Grand Junction, CO

+24.8%

$63,040 (2019) → $78,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boulder has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $93,003/year, compared to Grand Junction at $82,853/year — a difference of $10,150 (12.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Grand Junction?

Boulder radiologic technologist and technicians earn $44.72/hr while Grand Junction hygienists earn $39.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Grand Junction. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $88,404, Grand Junction = $86,779), job availability (290 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $69,039 in Boulder and $65,027 in Grand Junction. 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