Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Merced, CA: $106,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Merced, CA earns a median $106,764/year (≈ $51.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Merced's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $108,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, radiologic technologists and technicians in Merced, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $106,764, significantly above the national median of $84,348. This competitive earning potential reflects the region's trauma center designation and the shift differentials that contribute to effective compensation. With a salary range from $60,089 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $167,622 at the upper end (90th percentile), professionals with cross-training in modalities such as CT, MRI, and mammography can expect to earn more as they take on vital roles in healthcare settings. The data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, highlighting a robust job market for radiologic professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,089 | $28.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,643 | $42.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,764 | $51.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,509 | $66.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,622 | $80.59 |
Median Salary Position
26.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,533 (2026 est.). At $106,764, the local median is 26.58% above the national median of $84,348.
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At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merced Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Merced median: $106,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,172 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $84,348 | +26.58% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Merced, CA earn a median of $106,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.58% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 7.30% below the California state average of $115,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 1.72% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 98.275 (below the national average of 100). A radiologic technologist and technician earning $106,764 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,638 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,591
2025 BLS Actual
$101,400
2026 Current Est.
$106,764
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,351 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $76,591 (2019) to $101,400 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,821 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $60,089 – $87,643 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,643 – $106,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,764 – $138,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,509 – $167,622 |
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 Merced
In Merced, the local job market is steady, employing around 80 radiologic technologists and technicians. However, the cost of living index stands at 98.275, indicating that although salaries are competitive, they should be weighed against the local economic landscape when assessing take-home purchasing power. Healthcare facilities offering competitive wages include hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers, and orthopedic practices. The variation in pay is driven by factors such as modality specialization, shift differentials, and the responsibilities associated with trauma center designations. Cross-training in advanced imaging modalities can lead to superior pay, as technologists are often expected to cover multiple roles. To maximize their income, professionals should consider pursuing ASRT credentials, obtaining ARRT registration in additional modalities, and negotiating higher salaries by leveraging their diverse skill sets within the evolving job market in Merced, CA.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Merced?
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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 $101,400 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Merced 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, 5-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