Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$149,280
$71.78/hr
Torrance, CA
$117,163
$56.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$149,280$117,163
Hourly Rate$71.78$56.33
Entry Level (P10)$94,740$76,922
25th Percentile$124,727$90,806
75th Percentile$178,582$149,285
Top Earner (P90)$186,153$181,602
Total Employed2,85026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($149,280) and Torrance ($117,163) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoTorranceMedian Salary$149,280$117,163Entry Level (P10)$94,740$76,922Top Earner (P90)$186,153$181,602US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Torrance is $32,117 (27.41%). 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,Torrance spans $104,680. Torrance 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
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$76,922
P25$90,806
Median$117,163
P75$149,285
P90 (Top)$181,602

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($129,120 effective) pays 24.64% more than Torrance ($103,592 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $149,280
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $129,120
Torrance
Nominal: $117,163
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $103,592

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 Torrance 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 -5.2% growth in Torrance over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+35.9%

$104,360 (2019) → $141,780 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-5.2%

$117,341 (2024) → $111,276 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $149,280/year, compared to Torrance at $117,163/year — a difference of $32,117 (27.41%).

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

San Francisco radiologic technologist and technicians earn $71.78/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $56.33/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $129,120, Torrance = $103,592), job availability (2,850 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $94,740 in San Francisco and $76,922 in Torrance. 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