Radiologic Technologist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Radiologic Technologist Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Radiologic Technologists in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$54,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$50,467 vs $39,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$44,323 vs $33,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $74,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $56,980▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $94,720▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $118,400▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,467▲ | $39,785 | +$10,682 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,426 | $62,017▲ | -$14,591 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,323▲ | $33,342 | +$10,981 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 130,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($50,467 vs $39,785 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.