Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

Riverside, CA
$110,755
$53.25/hr
Tulare, CA
$116,375
$55.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CATulare, CA
Median Salary$110,755$116,375
Hourly Rate$53.25$55.95
Entry Level (P10)$75,777$80,793
25th Percentile$89,675$92,970
75th Percentile$135,077$141,806
Top Earner (P90)$141,036$168,326
Total Employed2,14017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($110,755) and Tulare ($116,375) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.RiversideTulareMedian Salary$110,755$116,375Entry Level (P10)$75,777$80,793Top Earner (P90)$141,036$168,326US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Riverside and Tulare is $5,620 (5.07%). Tulare's median is +37.97% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $65,259,Tulare spans $87,533. Tulare has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$75,777
P25$89,675
Median$110,755
P75$135,077
P90 (Top)$141,036
Tulare
P10 (Entry)$80,793
P25$92,970
Median$116,375
P75$141,806
P90 (Top)$168,326

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($104,052 effective) pays 1.12% more than Tulare ($102,896 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $110,755
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $104,052
Tulare
Nominal: $116,375
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $102,896

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (2,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,052)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Tulare if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,375/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($168,326)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Riverside grew 32.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.2% growth in Tulare over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+32.6%

$79,330 (2019) → $105,190 (2025)

Tulare, CA

+-5.2%

$116,552 (2024) → $110,528 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Tulare has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $116,375/year, compared to Riverside at $110,755/year — a difference of $5,620 (5.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Tulare?

Riverside radiologic technologist and technicians earn $53.25/hr while Tulare hygienists earn $55.95/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Tulare. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $104,052, Tulare = $102,896), job availability (2,140 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $75,777 in Riverside and $80,793 in Tulare. The Tulare 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