Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

Richmond, VA
$84,864
$40.80/hr
Suffolk, VA
$79,920
$38.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VASuffolk, VA
Median Salary$84,864$79,920
Hourly Rate$40.80$38.42
Entry Level (P10)$63,437$58,461
25th Percentile$78,841$66,019
75th Percentile$100,731$96,571
Top Earner (P90)$103,342$122,132
Total Employed1,13015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($84,864) and Suffolk ($79,920) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.RichmondSuffolkMedian Salary$84,864$79,920Entry Level (P10)$63,437$58,461Top Earner (P90)$103,342$122,132US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Richmond and Suffolk is $4,944 (6.19%). 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 Richmond spans $39,905,Suffolk spans $63,671. Suffolk has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$63,437
P25$78,841
Median$84,864
P75$100,731
P90 (Top)$103,342
Suffolk
P10 (Entry)$58,461
P25$66,019
Median$79,920
P75$96,571
P90 (Top)$122,132

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($86,722 effective) pays 11.98% more than Suffolk ($77,442 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $84,864
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $86,722
Suffolk
Nominal: $79,920
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $77,442

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Suffolk if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($122,132)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Richmond grew 38.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.9% growth in Suffolk over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+38.3%

$58,300 (2019) → $80,600 (2025)

Suffolk, VA

+6.9%

$71,028 (2024) → $75,905 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Richmond has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $84,864/year, compared to Suffolk at $79,920/year — a difference of $4,944 (6.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Suffolk?

Richmond radiologic technologist and technicians earn $40.80/hr while Suffolk hygienists earn $38.42/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Suffolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $86,722, Suffolk = $77,442), job availability (1,130 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $63,437 in Richmond and $58,461 in Suffolk. 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