Radiography Tech Salary

Madison vs Sun Prairie: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Madison, WI and Sun Prairie, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$85,201
$40.96/hr
Sun Prairie, WI
$79,257
$38.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WISun Prairie, WI
Median Salary$85,201$79,257
Hourly Rate$40.96$38.10
Entry Level (P10)$65,522$54,352
25th Percentile$73,219$67,301
75th Percentile$99,099$98,099
Top Earner (P90)$104,995$115,997
Total Employed7709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($85,201) and Sun Prairie ($79,257) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.MadisonSun PrairieMedian Salary$85,201$79,257Entry Level (P10)$65,522$54,352Top Earner (P90)$104,995$115,997US Median $84,348

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sun Prairie.

The salary gap between Madison and Sun Prairie is $5,944 (7.50%). Madison's median is +1.01% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $39,473,Sun Prairie spans $61,645. Sun Prairie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$65,522
P25$73,219
Median$85,201
P75$99,099
P90 (Top)$104,995
Sun Prairie
P10 (Entry)$54,352
P25$67,301
Median$79,257
P75$98,099
P90 (Top)$115,997

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($87,577 effective) pays 3.20% more than Sun Prairie ($84,858 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $85,201
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $87,577
Sun Prairie
Nominal: $79,257
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $84,858

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,201/year)
  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,577)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Sun Prairie if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,997)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Madison grew 31.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.5% growth in Sun Prairie over the same period.

Madison, WI

+31.7%

$61,460 (2019) → $80,920 (2025)

Sun Prairie, WI

+18.5%

$63,528 (2024) → $75,275 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Madison or Sun Prairie?

Madison has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $85,201/year, compared to Sun Prairie at $79,257/year — a difference of $5,944 (7.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Sun Prairie?

Madison radiologic technologist and technicians earn $40.96/hr while Sun Prairie hygienists earn $38.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Sun Prairie as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Sun Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $87,577, Sun Prairie = $84,858), job availability (770 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Madison vs Sun Prairie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $65,522 in Madison and $54,352 in Sun Prairie. The Madison 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