Radiography Tech Salary

New York vs Watertown: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between New York, NY and Watertown, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$108,164
$52.00/hr
Watertown, NY
$86,527
$41.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYWatertown, NY
Median Salary$108,164$86,527
Hourly Rate$52.00$41.60
Entry Level (P10)$83,148$69,660
25th Percentile$92,624$76,388
75th Percentile$123,295$90,549
Top Earner (P90)$136,993$102,384
Total Employed12,70080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($108,164) and Watertown ($86,527) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.New YorkWatertownMedian Salary$108,164$86,527Entry Level (P10)$83,148$69,660Top Earner (P90)$136,993$102,384US Median $84,348

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Watertown.

The salary gap between New York and Watertown is $21,637 (25.01%). New York's median is +28.24% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $53,845,Watertown spans $32,724. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$83,148
P25$92,624
Median$108,164
P75$123,295
P90 (Top)$136,993
Watertown
P10 (Entry)$69,660
P25$76,388
Median$86,527
P75$90,549
P90 (Top)$102,384

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Watertown ($98,674 effective) pays 2.69% more than New York ($96,092 effective).

New York
Nominal: $108,164
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $96,092
Watertown
Nominal: $86,527
CoL Index: 87.69
Adjusted: $98,674

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,164/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,993)
  • Larger job market (12,700 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Watertown if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,674)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in New York grew 37.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.8% growth in Watertown over the same period.

New York, NY

+37.2%

$74,850 (2019) → $102,730 (2025)

Watertown, NY

+43.8%

$57,130 (2019) → $82,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: New York or Watertown?

New York has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $108,164/year, compared to Watertown at $86,527/year — a difference of $21,637 (25.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Watertown?

New York radiologic technologist and technicians earn $52.00/hr while Watertown hygienists earn $41.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Watertown as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Watertown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $96,092, Watertown = $98,674), job availability (12,700 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in New York vs Watertown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $83,148 in New York and $69,660 in Watertown. The New York 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