Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Lake Forest, CA: $113,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Lake Forest, CA earns a median $113,091/year (≈ $54.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Lake Forest's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $99,992 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Forest, California, the projected 2026 median annual pay for radiologic technologists and technicians reaches $113,091, significantly higher than the national median of $84,348. This local estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, falls within a salary range that fluctuates from $82,002 at the 10th percentile to $168,661 at the 90th percentile. Such an income gradient reflects the diverse employment landscape in the area, where positions can be found across hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging chains, each offering varying compensation packages influenced by their operational structures. This disparity highlights the potential opportunities for higher earnings based on the choice of employer.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,002 | $39.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,748 | $43.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,091 | $54.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,594 | $67.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,661 | $81.08 |
Median Salary Position
34.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Forest
In Lake Forest, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,659 (2026 est.). At $113,091, the local median is 34.08% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Forest Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Lake Forest median: $113,091/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,164 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $84,348 | +34.08% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $113,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.08% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 1.80% below the California state average of $115,164.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Forest has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Forest, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,091 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,992 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,130
2025 BLS Actual
$107,409
2026 Current Est.
$113,091
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,994 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,283 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,426 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,073 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Forest metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $81,130 (2019) to $107,409 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,943 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Forest 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) | $82,002 – $90,748 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,748 – $113,091 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,091 – $140,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,594 – $168,661 |
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 Lake Forest
The job market for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lake Forest shows a solid presence, with 14 practitioners currently employed. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that expenses are above the national average, which can influence take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital imaging departments and specialized practices, particularly in orthopedic surgery and urgent care chains, tend to offer superior compensation compared to outpatient imaging centers. The wide pay spread can be attributed to multiple factors, including modality cross-training — with professionals holding certifications in CT, MRI, or mammography often fetching higher salaries. Furthermore, incentives such as shift differentials, call coverage pay, and lead roles can substantially enhance earnings. For those looking to maximize their pay in this Lake Forest market, prioritizing cross-training in advanced imaging technologies and seeking positions in higher-paying medical facilities can be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in Lake Forest, CA in 2026?
Is Lake Forest, CA a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Lake Forest?
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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 $107,409 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest 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