Radiography Tech Salary

Entry-Level Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Oxnard, CA: $65,448 (2026)

Quick Answer:New radiologic technologists and technicians entering the Oxnard, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,448 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2034, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oxnard's local price level (BEA RPP 110.511% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,211 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($113,345) within a few years of clinical practice.

$65,448
Starting Salary
$31.46/hr
Starting Hourly
$65,448
Entry Level
$113,345
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Radiologic Technologist and Technician Entry Level Salary in Oxnard, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Oxnard, CA radiologic technologist and technician entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Pursuing a career as a radiologic technologist or technician in Oxnard, California, offers promising starting salary options for new graduates. In 2026, entry-level professionals can expect a salary around $65,448. While this initial pay may seem modest when compared to the overall city median of $113,345, there’s a clear path for salary progression as experience accumulates. Over the first three to five years, entry-level workers may see their income rise significantly as they transition from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, currently estimated at $83,632. This growth potential, combined with Oxnard's current job market for radiologic technologists, indicates that new graduates will have good opportunities to establish their careers in an industry that is expected to grow at a rate of 5.29% annually.

Career Earnings Timeline in Oxnard

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$65,448/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$83,632/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$113,345/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$136,308/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oxnard

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologic technologist and technicians in Oxnard. The median salary is $113,345, compared to the national median of $84,348.$58.9K$81.5K$104.1K$126.7K$149.3K$65.4K10th Pctl$83.6K25th Pctl$113.3KMedian$136.3K75th Pctl$142.2K90th PctlUS Median$84.3K

Entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians in Oxnard, CA typically start between $65,448 and $83,632 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $76,778 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $113,34534.38% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of radiologic technologist and technician pay in the Oxnard metro area.

Return on Investment

$28,000
Avg CA Program Cost
$65,448
Starting Salary
42.78%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average radiologic technology program cost in California of $28,000 represents just 42.78% of the starting radiologic technologist and technician pay ($65,448/year) in Oxnard. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on JRCERT-accredited radiography program data and state workforce commission reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private university).

RT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Oxnard

  • 1Research the Oxnard market: entry-level radiologic technologist and technician pay ranges from $65,448 to $83,632, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the radiologic technology field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Oxnard, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Oxnard for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Factor in Oxnard's above-average cost of living (index: 110.534) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.

Radiologic Technologist and Technician Compensation Range

The radiologic technologist and technician wage spread in Oxnard is $76,778 ( 117.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,448, experienced hygienists can earn up to $142,226.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$33,930

2025 BLS Actual

$62,160

2026 Current Est.

$65,448

2019–2027 Growth

+103.1%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Oxnard (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for radiologic technologists and technicians in Oxnard. Baseline $33,930 in 2025, projected to $68,910 by 2027.$26.9K$39.2K$51.4K$63.7K$75.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$33.9K$34.5K$47.3K$59.2K$60.9K$63.5K$62.2K$65.4K$68.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$33,930Actual
2020$34,500Actual
2021$47,260Actual
2022$59,230Actual
2023$60,940Actual
2024$63,500Actual
2025$62,160Actual
2026(current)$65,448Estimated
2027$68,910Projected

Entry-level radiologic technologist and technician compensation (10th percentile) in Oxnard, CA grew 83.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,930 in 2019 to $62,160 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,910. New graduates entering the Oxnard job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxnard metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your radiologic technology Career in Oxnard

Focusing on the Oxnard job market, several employers actively seek to hire newly graduated radiologic technologists. Major hospital systems often provide paid cross-training in advanced imaging modalities like CT during the first one to two years, offering a solid start for fresh graduates. Outpatient imaging centers are also looking for cross-trained technologists, while orthopedic practices may prefer candidates with a bit of experience handling extremity work. To increase starting pay in California, graduates should prioritize obtaining credentials from JRCERT-accredited programs, national registration through the ARRT in radiography (R), and relevant state licenses, wherever applicable. Furthermore, in the initial years of employment, aspiring technologists should consider cross-training into specialties such as CT, MRI, or mammography, as the landscape has shifted to favor those with diverse skills over pure radiography roles, where salary progression tends to be flatter. New graduates in Oxnard could realistically expect their salaries to increase steadily as they embrace these opportunities in their first three years of practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for radiologic technologists and technicians in Oxnard in 2026?

Entry-level radiologic technologists and technicians in Oxnard start at approximately $65,448/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.29% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $31.47/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do radiologic technologist and technician salaries grow in Oxnard?

Most radiologic technologists and technicians in Oxnard progress from the entry-level salary of $65,448 to the area median of $113,345 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $142,226 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is radiologic technology school worth it in Oxnard?

With a starting salary of $65,448/year in Oxnard and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new radiologic technologists and technicians recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new radiologic technologists and technicians make right out of school in Oxnard?

New radiologic technology graduates in Oxnard typically start near the 10th percentile at $65,448/year, or approximately $31.47/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a radiologic technologist and technician in California?

To become a licensed radiologic technologist and technician in California, you typically need an associate's degree in radiologic technology or a related field is required., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including California, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some radiologic technologists and technicians pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in California

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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new radiologic technology graduates. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Oxnard. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).

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

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