Radiography Tech Salary

San Bernardino vs San Francisco: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

San Bernardino, CA
$110,891
$53.31/hr
San Francisco, CA
$149,280
$71.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Bernardino, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$110,891$149,280
Hourly Rate$53.31$71.78
Entry Level (P10)$70,171$94,740
25th Percentile$90,444$124,727
75th Percentile$138,406$178,582
Top Earner (P90)$171,882$186,153
Total Employed332,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Bernardino ($110,891) and San Francisco ($149,280) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.San BernardinoSan FranciscoMedian Salary$110,891$149,280Entry Level (P10)$70,171$94,740Top Earner (P90)$171,882$186,153US Median $84,348

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Bernardino.

The salary gap between San Bernardino and San Francisco is $38,389 (34.62%). San Francisco's median is +76.98% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Bernardino spans $101,711,San Francisco spans $91,413. San Bernardino has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Bernardino
P10 (Entry)$70,171
P25$90,444
Median$110,891
P75$138,406
P90 (Top)$171,882
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$94,740
P25$124,727
Median$149,280
P75$178,582
P90 (Top)$186,153

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($129,120 effective) pays 31.69% more than San Bernardino ($98,047 effective).

San Bernardino
Nominal: $110,891
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $98,047
San Francisco
Nominal: $149,280
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $129,120

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Bernardino if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($149,280/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,153)
  • Larger job market (2,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,120)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in San Bernardino grew -11.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.9% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

San Bernardino, CA

+-11.5%

$118,970 (2024) → $105,320 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+35.9%

$104,360 (2019) → $141,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: San Bernardino or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $149,280/year, compared to San Bernardino at $110,891/year — a difference of $38,389 (34.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Bernardino and San Francisco?

San Bernardino radiologic technologist and technicians earn $53.31/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $71.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Bernardino to San Francisco as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Bernardino and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Bernardino = $98,047, San Francisco = $129,120), job availability (33 vs 2,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in San Bernardino vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $70,171 in San Bernardino and $94,740 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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