Radiography Tech Salary

Denver vs Louisville: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$103,184
$49.61/hr
Louisville, CO
$84,684
$40.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COLouisville, CO
Median Salary$103,184$84,684
Hourly Rate$49.61$40.72
Entry Level (P10)$67,301$62,867
25th Percentile$81,305$70,013
75th Percentile$110,312$102,063
Top Earner (P90)$118,146$118,399
Total Employed1,9806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($103,184) and Louisville ($84,684) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.DenverLouisvilleMedian Salary$103,184$84,684Entry Level (P10)$67,301$62,867Top Earner (P90)$118,146$118,399US Median $84,348

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Louisville.

The salary gap between Denver and Louisville is $18,500 (21.85%). Denver's median is +22.33% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $50,845,Louisville spans $55,532. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$67,301
P25$81,305
Median$103,184
P75$110,312
P90 (Top)$118,146
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$62,867
P25$70,013
Median$84,684
P75$102,063
P90 (Top)$118,399

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($97,544 effective) pays 20.95% more than Louisville ($80,651 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $103,184
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $97,544
Louisville
Nominal: $84,684
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $80,651

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,184/year)
  • Larger job market (1,980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,544)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($118,399)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Denver grew 42.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.4% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Denver, CO

+42.7%

$68,690 (2019) → $98,000 (2025)

Louisville, CO

+5.4%

$76,293 (2024) → $80,429 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Denver or Louisville?

Denver has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $103,184/year, compared to Louisville at $84,684/year — a difference of $18,500 (21.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Louisville?

Denver radiologic technologist and technicians earn $49.61/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $40.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Louisville as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $97,544, Louisville = $80,651), job availability (1,980 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Denver vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $67,301 in Denver and $62,867 in Louisville. The Denver 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