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 110.5 — 11% 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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oxnard
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 $113,345 — 34.38% above the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,910 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxnard metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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.
More salary data for Oxnard, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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