Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Bakersfield, CA: $104,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Bakersfield, CA earns a median $104,458/year (≈ $50.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Bakersfield's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $103,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For radiologic technologists and technicians in Bakersfield, California, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $104,458, which represents a notable 23.84% increase compared to the national median of $84,348. The salary range extends from $72,429 at the 10th percentile to $131,391 at the 90th percentile, addressing the diversity in roles and credentials within the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects how modality cross-training—particularly in CT and MRI—can lead to enhanced earnings. As the job market evolves, Bakersfield shows promising opportunities for those who seek to further their education and credentials, thereby increasing their financial rewards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,429 | $34.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,885 | $41.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,458 | $50.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,537 | $60.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,391 | $63.16 |
Median Salary Position
23.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,962 (2026 est.). At $104,458, the local median is 23.84% above the national median of $84,348.
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How Bakersfield Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Bakersfield median: $104,458/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bakersfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,169 | -9.30% less |
| National Average | $84,348 | +23.84% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $104,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.84% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 9.30% below the California state average of $115,169.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bakersfield has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bakersfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.886 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,458 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,541 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,080
2025 BLS Actual
$99,210
2026 Current Est.
$104,458
2019–2027 Growth
+46.5%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,984 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.1% from $75,080 (2019) to $99,210 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,984 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,904 (46.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,429 – $85,885 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,885 – $104,458 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,458 – $125,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,537 – $131,391 |
RT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologic technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Job Market in Bakersfield
The local job market for radiologic technologists and technicians in Bakersfield, CA, encompasses around 450 employed professionals. Given a cost-of-living index of 100.886, which exceeds the national average, it’s crucial for technologists to consider their take-home pay in relation to living expenses. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers, often influenced by the demand for specialty skills like modality cross-training, shift differentials, and call coverage. The considerable wage spectrum can also be attributed to added responsibilities, such as supervisory roles and trauma center assignments. To maximize earnings, technologists should consider specializing further through ARRT registration and pursuing certifications in advanced imaging modalities, which are increasingly valued in Bakersfield’s competitive job environment.
More salary data for Bakersfield, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,210 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Bakersfield metropolitan area. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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