Quick answer:Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in California earn a median $121,260 per year, above the national median of $80,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The state employs about 20,900 of them. Licensing runs through your state radiologic health or licensing board.
Radiologic Technology Pay and Employment in California at a Glance
Metric
California
National
Source
Median annual wage
$121,260
$80,110
BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile
$70,210
$55,980
BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile
$95,730
$64,810
BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile
$137,770
$98,750
BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile
$165,460
$118,660
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment
20,900
230,490
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient
0.77
1.00
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)
not published by state
4.3%
BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34
How California Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The California median of $121,260 sits above the national median of $80,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.77 puts California below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Imaging jobs sit where the hospitals and outpatient imaging centers are, so the metro picture matters more than the statewide one.
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), radiologic technologists and technicians wages in California vary by metro area.
Metro Area
Employment
Median Annual Wage
Avg. Annual Wage
Entry Level (10th pctile)
Experienced (90th pctile)
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
6,450
$108,030
$111,450
$64,070
$154,860
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont
2,850
$141,780
$138,390
$89,980
$176,800
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
2,140
$105,190
$107,610
$71,970
$133,950
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
1,770
$113,480
$111,860
$65,440
$149,390
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom
1,360
$135,880
$127,380
$64,480
$172,400
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
1,000
$154,850
$151,170
$98,910
$185,340
Fresno
760
$107,350
$108,530
$74,580
$149,280
Bakersfield-Delano
450
$99,210
$98,320
$68,790
$124,790
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
390
$107,650
$103,340
$62,160
$135,080
Modesto
370
$129,030
$127,310
$78,660
$172,850
Stockton-Lodi
280
$128,480
$121,340
$77,820
$174,390
Vallejo
270
$160,380
$150,010
$103,130
$175,430
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
250
$110,770
$112,990
$62,310
$140,020
Santa Rosa-Petaluma
200
$137,530
$137,780
$85,830
$174,150
Visalia
170
$98,610
$100,090
$74,870
$128,930
Chico
150
$103,000
$98,810
$48,900
$133,060
Salinas
150
$102,330
$102,060
$62,910
$129,920
Santa Cruz-Watsonville
110
$129,920
$117,390
$62,650
$164,890
Redding
90
$129,960
$118,800
$65,850
$168,160
Merced
80
$101,400
$104,160
$57,070
$159,200
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
80
$103,670
$101,600
$63,340
$134,020
El Centro
60
$92,000
$93,350
$80,570
$123,340
Hanford-Corcoran
60
$98,120
$90,680
$56,310
$120,620
Napa
40
$128,170
$111,860
$67,890
$139,940
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Radiography programs are accredited by JRCERT and certification runs through ARRT. Most states also require a license that references ARRT certification, but the requirement is not uniform and a few states regulate differently, so the rule has to be checked locally.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state radiologic health or licensing board that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
How much do radiologic technologists make in California?
The median annual wage for radiologic technologists in California is $121,260, above the national median of $80,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $95,730 at the 25th percentile to $137,770 at the 75th.
How many radiologic technologists work in California?
California holds about 20,900 radiologic technologist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 230,490, and BLS projects about 12,900 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a radiologic technologist in California?
Radiography programs are accredited by JRCERT and certification runs through ARRT. Most states also require a license that references ARRT certification, but the requirement is not uniform and a few states regulate differently, so the rule has to be checked locally. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state radiologic health or licensing board before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a JRCERT-accredited associate degree online while working in California?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state radiologic health or licensing board.
What is the highest-paying area of California for radiologic technologists?
Among California metro areas with published data, Vallejo reports the highest median at $160,380 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is California a good state for radiologic technologists?
On pay, the state median of $121,260 sits above the national $80,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.77 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2034), national, state and metropolitan estimates
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
