Radiologic Technologist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Radiologic Technologist Salary: Louisville, KY vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Radiologic Technologists in Louisville, KY and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$42,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$48,276 vs $39,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$42,823 vs $33,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $42,000 | $74,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,340 | $56,980▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,760 | $94,720▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $67,200 | $118,400▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 186 | -99 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 9.3% | -5.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,276▲ | $39,785 | +$8,491 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $37,256 | $62,017▲ | -$24,761 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,823▲ | $33,342 | +$9,481 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 130,000 | -105,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $32,000 more (median: $42,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 186), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($48,276 vs $39,785 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% 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.