Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in San Marcos, CA: $115,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in San Marcos, CA earns a median $115,171/year (≈ $55.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in San Marcos's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $101,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Marcos, CA, radiologic technologists and technicians can expect a competitive median annual salary of $115,171 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $84,348. The projected salary range for this occupation spans from $77,658 at the 10th percentile to $175,965 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments highlight the city’s robust pay framework, influenced by employment structures between hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging chains. Understanding where you fit within this spectrum can be vital for starting your career, especially as San Marcos continues to show growth in medical facilities and related positions.
About the San Marcos Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,658 | $37.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,549 | $43.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,171 | $55.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,312 | $67.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,965 | $84.60 |
Median Salary Position
36.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Marcos
In San Marcos, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,307 (2026 est.). At $115,171, the local median is 36.54% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Marcos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Marcos Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
San Marcos median: $115,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Marcos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $84,348 | +36.54% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in San Marcos, CA earn a median of $115,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.54% higher than the national median of $84,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Marcos has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Marcos, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,171 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,831 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,622
2025 BLS Actual
$109,385
2026 Current Est.
$115,171
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,622 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,797 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,346 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,385 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,264 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Marcos metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $82,622 (2019) to $109,385 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,642 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Marcos 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) | $77,658 – $90,549 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,549 – $115,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,171 – $141,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,312 – $175,965 |
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 Marcos
With 17 radiologic technologists and technicians employed in San Marcos, the local job market remains solid, although the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating relatively higher living expenses compared to the national average. This may affect take-home purchasing power, making it crucial for professionals to seek employment with entities that typically offer higher compensation. Among potential employers, hospital imaging departments tend to pay more than outpatient centers. Factors affecting salary variation include cross-training in modalities like CT, MRI, and mammography, as roles requiring specialized skills generally command better pay. For those eager to enhance their earnings, achieving ARRT certification, pursuing additional modality training, and considering travel rad tech positions can open doors to higher salary prospects in the San Marcos market.
More salary data for San Marcos, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in San Marcos, CA in 2026?
Is San Marcos, CA a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in San Marcos?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted radiologic technologist and technician salary in San Marcos?
How much does a radiologic technologist and technician make per hour in San Marcos?
Related Pages
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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 $109,385 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the San Marcos 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 San Marcos 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