Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in San Jose, CA: $163,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in San Jose, CA earns a median $163,042/year (≈ $78.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $147,652 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 41.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, radiologic technologists and technicians in San Jose, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $163,042, significantly higher than the national median of $84,348, reflecting a premium of about 93.30%. The salary range spans from $104,142 at the 10th percentile to $195,144 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. San Jose's job market shows a clear preference for employment in hospital settings, often offering higher wages compared to outpatient imaging centers, which typically cannot match the pay scales established by larger healthcare systems. This disparity in compensation stems from the structural choices of local healthcare employers, influencing both recruitment and retention efforts for skilled technologists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $104,142 | $50.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,287 | $64.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,042 | $78.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,605 | $89.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,144 | $93.82 |
Median Salary Position
93.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,002 (2026 est.). At $163,042, the local median is 93.3% above the national median of $84,348.
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At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be above the median
How San Jose Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
San Jose median: $163,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,224 | +41.50% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | +93.30% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in San Jose, CA earn a median of $163,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 93.30% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 41.50% above the California state average of $115,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,042 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,652 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,770
2025 BLS Actual
$154,850
2026 Current Est.
$163,042
2019–2027 Growth
+100.1%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 80.5% from $85,770 (2019) to $154,850 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $171,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $85,896 (100.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $104,142 – $133,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,287 – $163,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,042 – $185,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,605 – $195,144 |
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 Jose
With around 1,000 employed radiologic technologists and technicians in the San Jose area, the competitive job market offers multiple avenues for advancement. However, it’s crucial to consider the cost of living index at 110.423, indicating that while salaries in this region are above the national average, the higher living expenses need to be managed effectively. Employers like hospital imaging departments tend to pay more than urgent care chains or mobile X-ray companies, with additional pay boosts available for cross-training in modalities like CT, MRI, and mammography. Factors such as shift differentials, call coverage stipends, and supervisory roles can further widen the pay gap within the profession. To maximize earning potential in this market, technologists should pursue cross-training opportunities, be open to travel assignments, and negotiate their positions to reflect their skill sets and the demands of local employers.
More salary data for San Jose, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in San Jose, CA in 2026?
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Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in San Jose?
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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 $154,850 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the San Jose 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