Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in San Francisco, CA: $149,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in San Francisco, CA earns a median $149,280/year (≈ $71.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $129,120 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 29.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Radiologic technologists and technicians in San Francisco experience a robust compensation structure, with a median annual salary of $149,280, significantly higher than the national median of $84,348. The projected salary range spans from $94,740 at the 10th percentile to $186,153 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market influenced by factors like shift differentials and the presence of trauma centers. This variation in pay is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the city's commitment to competitive compensation for these healthcare professionals. San Francisco's unique healthcare landscape, with its demand for specialized imaging services, ensures that professionals in this field are well-compensated for their expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,740 | $45.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,727 | $59.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,280 | $71.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,582 | $85.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,153 | $89.50 |
Median Salary Position
76.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,413 (2026 est.). At $149,280, the local median is 76.98% above the national median of $84,348.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $149,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,185 | +29.60% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | +76.98% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $149,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 76.98% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 29.60% above the California state average of $115,185.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $149,280 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,120 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,360
2025 BLS Actual
$141,780
2026 Current Est.
$149,280
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,177 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 35.9% from $104,360 (2019) to $141,780 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,817 (50.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $94,740 – $124,727 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,727 – $149,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,280 – $178,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,582 – $186,153 |
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 San Francisco
With about 2,850 radiologic technologists and technicians currently employed in the San Francisco area, the job market remains strong despite the high cost of living, evident from a cost-of-living index of 115.613. This elevated index signifies that while salaries are considerably high, purchasing power can be constrained. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers tend to offer the most competitive wages, particularly those requiring cross-training in modalities like CT, MRI, and mammography. Factors accounting for the wide salary range include additional stipends for leadership roles, shift differentials for night shifts, and compensation for on-call coverage. For individuals aspiring to maximize their pay, focusing on modality cross-training, actively seeking opportunities in high-paying sectors, and considering travel rad tech positions could yield substantial financial benefits in the San Francisco market.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
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Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in San Francisco?
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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 $141,780 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the San Francisco 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, 7-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