Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Vista, CA: $118,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Vista, CA earns a median $118,122/year (≈ $56.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Vista's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $118,122 for 2026, radiologic technologists and technicians in Vista, California, enjoy competitive compensation that significantly surpasses the national median of $84,348. The local salary range spans from $79,553 at the lower 10th percentile to $177,413 for those at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust job market shaped by increasing demand for skilled professionals. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicate a growing appreciation for the value of cross-training in multiple modalities, such as CT, MRI, and mammography, which can substantially enhance earning potential in Vista's healthcare environment.
About the Vista Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,553 | $38.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,706 | $44.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,122 | $56.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,324 | $70.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,413 | $85.30 |
Median Salary Position
40.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vista
In Vista, CA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,860 (2026 est.). At $118,122, the local median is 40.04% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vista Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Vista median: $118,122/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,241 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | +40.04% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Vista, CA earn a median of $118,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.04% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 2.50% above the California state average of $115,241.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vista has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vista, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,122 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,440 — 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
$84,739
2025 BLS Actual
$112,187
2026 Current Est.
$118,122
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,739 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,685 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,943 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,223 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,301 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vista metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $84,739 (2019) to $112,187 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,631 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vista 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) | $79,553 – $92,706 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,706 – $118,122 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,122 – $147,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,324 – $177,413 |
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 Vista
The local job market for radiologic technologists and technicians reveals a solid demand, with 24 professionals currently employed in the Vista area. However, the elevated cost of living—reflected in a cost of living index of 113.1—can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for workers. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile X-ray services. The variances in compensation can largely be attributed to additional certification in modalities like CT and MRI, shift differentials, and the opportunity for role advancement into supervisory positions. To maximize pay within this market, professionals are encouraged to pursue cross-training options, take advantage of overtime or travel assignments, and seek employment in facilities that service high-volume trauma cases, which often provide enhanced pay incentives.
More salary data for Vista, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in Vista, CA in 2026?
Is Vista, CA a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Vista?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted radiologic technologist and technician salary in Vista?
How much does a radiologic technologist and technician make per hour in Vista?
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 $112,187 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Vista 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 Vista 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