Radiography Tech Salary

Portland vs Sanford: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Portland, ME and Sanford, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, ME
$85,190
$40.96/hr
Sanford, ME
$78,481
$37.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, MESanford, ME
Median Salary$85,190$78,481
Hourly Rate$40.96$37.74
Entry Level (P10)$68,333$60,817
25th Percentile$73,829$66,929
75th Percentile$99,794$91,884
Top Earner (P90)$109,470$105,643
Total Employed3506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($85,190) and Sanford ($78,481) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.PortlandSanfordMedian Salary$85,190$78,481Entry Level (P10)$68,333$60,817Top Earner (P90)$109,470$105,643US Median $84,348

Verdict

Portland, ME offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sanford.

The salary gap between Portland and Sanford is $6,709 (8.55%). Portland's median is +1.00% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $41,137,Sanford spans $44,826. Sanford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$68,333
P25$73,829
Median$85,190
P75$99,794
P90 (Top)$109,470
Sanford
P10 (Entry)$60,817
P25$66,929
Median$78,481
P75$91,884
P90 (Top)$105,643

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($83,636 effective) pays 6.14% more than Sanford ($78,796 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $85,190
CoL Index: 101.858
Adjusted: $83,636
Sanford
Nominal: $78,481
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $78,796

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,190/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,470)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,636)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Sanford if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Portland grew 38.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Sanford over the same period.

Portland, ME

+38.9%

$58,270 (2019) → $80,910 (2025)

Sanford, ME

+14.4%

$65,130 (2024) → $74,538 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Portland or Sanford?

Portland has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $85,190/year, compared to Sanford at $78,481/year — a difference of $6,709 (8.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and Sanford?

Portland radiologic technologist and technicians earn $40.96/hr while Sanford hygienists earn $37.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to Sanford as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and Sanford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $83,636, Sanford = $78,796), job availability (350 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Portland vs Sanford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $68,333 in Portland and $60,817 in Sanford. The Portland 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