Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$149,280
$71.78/hr
Stockton, CA
$135,277
$65.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAStockton, CA
Median Salary$149,280$135,277
Hourly Rate$71.78$65.04
Entry Level (P10)$94,740$81,937
25th Percentile$124,727$106,764
75th Percentile$178,582$147,332
Top Earner (P90)$186,153$183,615
Total Employed2,850280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($149,280) and Stockton ($135,277) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoStocktonMedian Salary$149,280$135,277Entry Level (P10)$94,740$81,937Top Earner (P90)$186,153$183,615US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Stockton is $14,003 (10.35%). 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 Francisco spans $91,413,Stockton spans $101,678. Stockton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$94,740
P25$124,727
Median$149,280
P75$178,582
P90 (Top)$186,153
Stockton
P10 (Entry)$81,937
P25$106,764
Median$135,277
P75$147,332
P90 (Top)$183,615

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($129,120 effective) pays 0.31% more than Stockton ($128,726 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $149,280
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $129,120
Stockton
Nominal: $135,277
CoL Index: 105.089
Adjusted: $128,726

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Stockton if…

  • 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 Francisco grew 35.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 50.1% growth in Stockton over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+35.9%

$104,360 (2019) → $141,780 (2025)

Stockton, CA

+50.1%

$85,590 (2019) → $128,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $149,280/year, compared to Stockton at $135,277/year — a difference of $14,003 (10.35%).

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

San Francisco radiologic technologist and technicians earn $71.78/hr while Stockton hygienists earn $65.04/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Stockton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $129,120, Stockton = $128,726), job availability (2,850 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $94,740 in San Francisco and $81,937 in Stockton. 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