Radiography Tech Salary

Radford vs Richmond: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Radford, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Radford, VA
$82,608
$39.72/hr
Richmond, VA
$84,864
$40.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRadford, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$82,608$84,864
Hourly Rate$39.72$40.80
Entry Level (P10)$60,313$63,437
25th Percentile$71,004$78,841
75th Percentile$97,240$100,731
Top Earner (P90)$112,043$103,342
Total Employed61,130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Radford ($82,608) and Richmond ($84,864) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.RadfordRichmondMedian Salary$82,608$84,864Entry Level (P10)$60,313$63,437Top Earner (P90)$112,043$103,342US Median $84,348

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Radford.

The salary gap between Radford and Richmond is $2,256 (2.73%). Richmond's median is +0.61% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Radford spans $51,730,Richmond spans $39,905. Radford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Radford
P10 (Entry)$60,313
P25$71,004
Median$82,608
P75$97,240
P90 (Top)$112,043
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$63,437
P25$78,841
Median$84,864
P75$100,731
P90 (Top)$103,342

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($86,722 effective) pays 8.34% more than Radford ($80,047 effective).

Radford
Nominal: $82,608
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $80,047
Richmond
Nominal: $84,864
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $86,722

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Radford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,043)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,864/year)
  • Larger job market (1,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,722)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Radford grew 13.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.3% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Radford, VA

+13.6%

$69,093 (2024) → $78,458 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+38.3%

$58,300 (2019) → $80,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Radford or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $84,864/year, compared to Radford at $82,608/year — a difference of $2,256 (2.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Radford and Richmond?

Radford radiologic technologist and technicians earn $39.72/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $40.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Radford to Richmond as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Radford and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Radford = $80,047, Richmond = $86,722), job availability (6 vs 1,130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Radford vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $60,313 in Radford and $63,437 in Richmond. The Richmond 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