Radiography Tech Salary

Napa vs Riverside: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Napa, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Napa, CA
$134,950
$64.88/hr
Riverside, CA
$110,755
$53.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNapa, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$134,950$110,755
Hourly Rate$64.88$53.25
Entry Level (P10)$71,481$75,777
25th Percentile$100,405$89,675
75th Percentile$139,667$135,077
Top Earner (P90)$147,343$141,036
Total Employed402,140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Napa ($134,950) and Riverside ($110,755) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.NapaRiversideMedian Salary$134,950$110,755Entry Level (P10)$71,481$75,777Top Earner (P90)$147,343$141,036US Median $84,348

Verdict

Napa, CA offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Napa and Riverside is $24,195 (21.85%). Napa's median is +59.99% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Napa spans $75,862,Riverside spans $65,259. Napa has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Napa
P10 (Entry)$71,481
P25$100,405
Median$134,950
P75$139,667
P90 (Top)$147,343
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$75,777
P25$89,675
Median$110,755
P75$135,077
P90 (Top)$141,036

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Napa ($119,898 effective) pays 15.23% more than Riverside ($104,052 effective).

Napa
Nominal: $134,950
CoL Index: 112.554
Adjusted: $119,898
Riverside
Nominal: $110,755
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $104,052

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Napa if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,950/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($147,343)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $119,898)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (2,140 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Napa grew 64.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.6% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Napa, CA

+64.9%

$77,730 (2019) → $128,170 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+32.6%

$79,330 (2019) → $105,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Napa or Riverside?

Napa has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $134,950/year, compared to Riverside at $110,755/year — a difference of $24,195 (21.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Napa and Riverside?

Napa radiologic technologist and technicians earn $64.88/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $53.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Napa to Riverside as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Napa and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Napa = $119,898, Riverside = $104,052), job availability (40 vs 2,140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Napa vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $71,481 in Napa and $75,777 in Riverside. The Riverside 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