Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Lakewood, CA: $112,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Lakewood, CA earns a median $112,261/year (≈ $53.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $99,258 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, California, the projected median annual salary for radiologic technologists and technicians in 2026 is $112,261, notably exceeding the national median of $84,348 by over 33%. This disparity highlights the importance of modality cross-training; those who add credentials such as CT or MRI often experience significant improvements in their pay. Salary ranges for the profession here span from $80,552 at the lower end (P10) to $165,789 at the higher end (P90), reflecting both the demand for various imaging specialties and the competitive nature of healthcare employment in the area. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost, reveal a robust market for skilled radiologic professionals in Lakewood.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,552 | $38.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,102 | $42.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,261 | $53.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,582 | $66.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,789 | $79.70 |
Median Salary Position
33.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,237 (2026 est.). At $112,261, the local median is 33.09% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $112,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,140 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $84,348 | +33.09% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $112,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.09% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 2.50% below the California state average of $115,140.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $112,261 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,258 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$80,535
2025 BLS Actual
$106,621
2026 Current Est.
$112,261
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,535 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,385 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,679 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,697 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,704 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,431 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,621 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,200 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $80,535 (2019) to $106,621 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,200 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,665 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $80,552 – $89,102 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,102 – $112,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,261 – $138,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,582 – $165,789 |
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 Lakewood
The local job market accommodates 19 radiologic technologists and technicians, offering opportunities that align with the cost of living index of 113.1, which indicates that housing and daily expenses are slightly above the national average. Employers such as major hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers tend to provide the highest salaries due to greater funding for advanced imaging technologies and a higher demand for specialized skills. The wide pay range arises from several factors, including the demand for additional certifications, shift differentials, call coverage, and supervisory roles that create pay structure variability. To maximize their earning potential, radiologic professionals in Lakewood should consider pursuing additional certifications in areas like mammography, seek roles in trauma centers or mobile radiography, and negotiate shift differentials whenever possible. Understanding these nuances can greatly impact radiologic technologist and technician pay in Lakewood, CA.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in Lakewood, CA in 2026?
Is Lakewood, CA a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted radiologic technologist and technician salary in Lakewood?
How much does a radiologic technologist and technician make per hour in Lakewood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $106,621 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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