Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Irvine, CA: $119,655 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Irvine, CA earns a median $119,655/year (≈ $57.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, radiologic technologists and technicians in Irvine, California, can expect a median annual salary of $119,655, which is significantly higher than the national average of $84,348. This region showcases a competitive salary range, with figures spanning from $82,191 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $185,465 at the 90th percentile. Such elevated earnings reflect the influence of local demand for skilled professionals in challenging environments, particularly trauma centers, as well as shift differentials in various settings, including hospitals and outpatient imaging centers. Given the area's higher cost of living, these compensations play a critical role in attracting and retaining qualified talent.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,191 | $39.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,921 | $46.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,655 | $57.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,158 | $73.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,465 | $89.17 |
Median Salary Position
41.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,274 (2026 est.). At $119,655, the local median is 41.86% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Irvine median: $119,655/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,163 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | +41.86% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Irvine, CA earn a median of $119,655 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.86% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 3.90% above the California state average of $115,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,655 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,796 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,839
2025 BLS Actual
$113,643
2026 Current Est.
$119,655
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,839 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,811 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,407 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,836 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,643 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,655 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,984 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $85,839 (2019) to $113,643 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,984 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,145 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $82,191 – $95,921 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,921 – $119,655 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,655 – $153,158 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,158 – $185,465 |
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 Irvine
The job market for radiologic technologists and technicians in Irvine remains robust, with approximately 72 professionals currently working in the area. However, the cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, making it essential for technologists to consider their take-home pay and purchasing power. Opportunities abound across various employers, including hospital imaging departments and urgent care facilities, with some of the highest salaries offered to those who cross-train into modalities like CT and mammography. Factors that create variability in pay include skills in multiple modalities, shift differentials, call coverage, and leadership stipends. To maximize their earnings in this specific market, aspiring and current professionals should focus on gaining cross-training certifications and seek employment in trauma centers or travel tech positions, both of which typically provide higher compensation packages.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in Irvine, CA in 2026?
Is Irvine, CA a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Irvine?
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Related Pages
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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 $113,643 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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