Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$149,280
$71.78/hr
West Sacramento, CA
$113,402
$54.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAWest Sacramento, CA
Median Salary$149,280$113,402
Hourly Rate$71.78$54.52
Entry Level (P10)$94,740$82,720
25th Percentile$124,727$93,850
75th Percentile$178,582$141,350
Top Earner (P90)$186,153$169,741
Total Employed2,8509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($149,280) and West Sacramento ($113,402) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoWest SacramentoMedian Salary$149,280$113,402Entry Level (P10)$94,740$82,720Top Earner (P90)$186,153$169,741US Median $84,348

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and West Sacramento is $35,878 (31.64%). 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,West Sacramento spans $87,021. 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
West Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$82,720
P25$93,850
Median$113,402
P75$141,350
P90 (Top)$169,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($129,120 effective) pays 28.78% more than West Sacramento ($100,267 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $149,280
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $129,120
West Sacramento
Nominal: $113,402
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $100,267

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 West Sacramento 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 West Sacramento over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+35.9%

$104,360 (2019) → $141,780 (2025)

West Sacramento, CA

+-5.2%

$113,573 (2024) → $107,704 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $149,280/year, compared to West Sacramento at $113,402/year — a difference of $35,878 (31.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and West Sacramento?

San Francisco radiologic technologist and technicians earn $71.78/hr while West Sacramento hygienists earn $54.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and West Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $129,120, West Sacramento = $100,267), job availability (2,850 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $94,740 in San Francisco and $82,720 in West Sacramento. 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