Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Salary
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in California make a median of $121,260 a year, or about $58.3 an hour. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $114,245 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 34.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $121K get you in California?
About radiologic technologists and technicians
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for radiologic technologists and technicians, local pay runs about 51% higher than the U.S. median of $80K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level radiologic technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $121K. Top earners bring in $165K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians salary by metro in California
24 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo | $160K | +32% | 270 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $155K | +28% | 1,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $142K | +17% | 2,850 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $138K | +13% | 200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $136K | +12% | 1,360 |
| Redding | $130K | +7% | 90 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $130K | +7% | 110 |
| Modesto | $129K | +6% | 370 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $128K | +6% | 280 |
| Napa | $128K | +6% | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $113K | -6% | 1,770 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $111K | -9% | 250 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $108K | -11% | 6,450 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $108K | -11% | 390 |
| Fresno | $107K | -11% | 760 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $105K | -13% | 2,140 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $104K | -15% | 80 |
| Chico | $103K | -15% | 150 |
| Salinas | $102K | -16% | 150 |
| Merced | $101K | -16% | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $99K | -18% | 450 |
| Visalia | $99K | -19% | 170 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $98K | -19% | 60 |
| El Centro | $92K | -24% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 24 metros
Compare to other states
Track radiologic technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Can a radiologic technologists and technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $121K, rent takes 34.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for radiologic technologists and technicians in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new radiologic technologists and technicians typically earn — is $70K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,213/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 59% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is radiologic technologists and technician a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 51% above the national median — $121K here vs. $80K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for radiologic technologists and technicians?
California pays $121K median vs. the U.S. average of $80K — that’s +51%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $114K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in California?
The median is $121,260 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,210, and experienced radiologic technologists and technicians can clear $165,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $121K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,185/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 34.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a radiologic technologists and technicians salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median radiologic technologists and technicians salary is worth about $114,245 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do radiologic technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.