Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$149,280
$71.78/hr
Tracy, CA
$111,905
$53.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATracy, CA
Median Salary$149,280$111,905
Hourly Rate$71.78$53.80
Entry Level (P10)$94,740$79,738
25th Percentile$124,727$90,849
75th Percentile$178,582$140,344
Top Earner (P90)$186,153$164,279
Total Employed2,85014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($149,280) and Tracy ($111,905) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoTracyMedian Salary$149,280$111,905Entry Level (P10)$94,740$79,738Top Earner (P90)$186,153$164,279US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Tracy is $37,375 (33.40%). 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,Tracy spans $84,541. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$94,740
P25$124,727
Median$149,280
P75$178,582
P90 (Top)$186,153
Tracy
P10 (Entry)$79,738
P25$90,849
Median$111,905
P75$140,344
P90 (Top)$164,279

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($129,120 effective) pays 30.50% more than Tracy ($98,943 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $149,280
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $129,120
Tracy
Nominal: $111,905
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $98,943

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 Tracy 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 Tracy over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+35.9%

$104,360 (2019) → $141,780 (2025)

Tracy, CA

+-5.2%

$112,075 (2024) → $106,283 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $149,280/year, compared to Tracy at $111,905/year — a difference of $37,375 (33.40%).

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

San Francisco radiologic technologist and technicians earn $71.78/hr while Tracy hygienists earn $53.80/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Tracy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $129,120, Tracy = $98,943), job availability (2,850 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $94,740 in San Francisco and $79,738 in Tracy. 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