Radiography Tech Salary

Liberal vs Wichita: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Liberal, KS and Wichita, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberal, KS
$71,510
$34.38/hr
Wichita, KS
$68,260
$32.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberal, KSWichita, KS
Median Salary$71,510$68,260
Hourly Rate$34.38$32.82
Entry Level (P10)$55,219$53,382
25th Percentile$60,842$60,700
75th Percentile$83,590$85,422
Top Earner (P90)$102,765$96,140
Total Employed4500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberal ($71,510) and Wichita ($68,260) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.LiberalWichitaMedian Salary$71,510$68,260Entry Level (P10)$55,219$53,382Top Earner (P90)$102,765$96,140US Median $84,348

Verdict

Liberal, KS offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wichita.

The salary gap between Liberal and Wichita is $3,250 (4.76%). Liberal's median is -15.22% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberal spans $47,546,Wichita spans $42,758. Liberal has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Liberal
P10 (Entry)$55,219
P25$60,842
Median$71,510
P75$83,590
P90 (Top)$102,765
Wichita
P10 (Entry)$53,382
P25$60,700
Median$68,260
P75$85,422
P90 (Top)$96,140

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Liberal ($78,669 effective) pays 2.51% more than Wichita ($76,743 effective).

Liberal
Nominal: $71,510
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $78,669
Wichita
Nominal: $68,260
CoL Index: 88.946
Adjusted: $76,743

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberal if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,510/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,765)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,669)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Wichita if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Liberal grew 29.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.8% growth in Wichita over the same period.

Liberal, KS

+29.2%

$52,563 (2024) → $67,917 (2025)

Wichita, KS

+30.8%

$49,580 (2019) → $64,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Liberal or Wichita?

Liberal has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $71,510/year, compared to Wichita at $68,260/year — a difference of $3,250 (4.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberal and Wichita?

Liberal radiologic technologist and technicians earn $34.38/hr while Wichita hygienists earn $32.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberal to Wichita as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberal and Wichita. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberal = $78,669, Wichita = $76,743), job availability (4 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Liberal vs Wichita?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $55,219 in Liberal and $53,382 in Wichita. The Liberal area offers higher starting salaries.
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