Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Brea, CA: $109,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Brea, CA earns a median $109,287/year (≈ $52.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $96,629 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Brea, California, the anticipated annual compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians is projected to be $109,287 in 2026, representing a notable 29.57% increase above the national benchmark of $84,348. This salary reflects the unique demands of the profession in a city where factors such as shift differentials and the area's designation as a trauma center contribute significantly to enhanced compensation. The local pay range extends from $79,589 at the lowest 10th percentile to a ceiling of $158,810 for the top 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for substantial earnings based on experience, specialized skills, and job responsibilities. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional price differences in Brea's cost of living.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,589 | $38.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,660 | $43.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,287 | $52.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,493 | $64.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,810 | $76.35 |
Median Salary Position
29.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,221 (2026 est.). At $109,287, the local median is 29.57% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Brea median: $109,287/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,160 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $84,348 | +29.57% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Brea, CA earn a median of $109,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.57% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 5.10% below the California state average of $115,160.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,287 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,629 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,401
2025 BLS Actual
$103,796
2026 Current Est.
$109,287
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,202 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,515 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,115 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,796 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,068 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $78,401 (2019) to $103,796 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,068 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,667 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $79,589 – $89,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,660 – $109,287 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,287 – $134,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,493 – $158,810 |
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 Brea
Analyzing the job market for radiologic technologists and technicians in Brea reveals a workforce of 10 employed individuals, navigating an economy with a cost of living index of 113.1. This higher cost of living impacts take-home purchasing power, necessitating competitive salaries to attract talent. Notably, employers in hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers typically offer more lucrative positions, particularly for those who hold advanced registrations and cross-train in modalities such as CT, MRI, or mammography. The spread in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including shift differentials, on-call responsibilities, and premium pay associated with trauma center designations. For professionals seeking to maximize their earnings in Brea, pursuing additional certifications and taking on diverse roles can prove advantageous in a competitive market focusing on cross-training, which is viewed favorably by prospective employers.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Brea?
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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 $103,796 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Brea 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
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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