Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

Roanoke, VA
$79,715
$38.33/hr
Suffolk, VA
$79,920
$38.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VASuffolk, VA
Median Salary$79,715$79,920
Hourly Rate$38.33$38.42
Entry Level (P10)$54,519$58,461
25th Percentile$66,975$66,019
75th Percentile$84,959$96,571
Top Earner (P90)$98,773$122,132
Total Employed34015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($79,715) and Suffolk ($79,920) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.RoanokeSuffolkMedian Salary$79,715$79,920Entry Level (P10)$54,519$58,461Top Earner (P90)$98,773$122,132US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Roanoke and Suffolk is $205 (0.26%). Suffolk's median is -5.25% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $44,254,Suffolk spans $63,671. Suffolk has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$54,519
P25$66,975
Median$79,715
P75$84,959
P90 (Top)$98,773
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, Roanoke ($85,149 effective) pays 9.95% more than Suffolk ($77,442 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $79,715
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $85,149
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 Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,149)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Suffolk if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,920/year)
  • 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 Roanoke grew 40.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.9% growth in Suffolk over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+40.5%

$53,870 (2019) → $75,710 (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: Roanoke or Suffolk?

Suffolk has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $79,920/year, compared to Roanoke at $79,715/year — a difference of $205 (0.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Suffolk?

Roanoke radiologic technologist and technicians earn $38.33/hr while Suffolk hygienists earn $38.42/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Suffolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $85,149, Suffolk = $77,442), job availability (340 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $54,519 in Roanoke and $58,461 in Suffolk. The Suffolk 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