Radiologic Technologist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Radiologic Technologist Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Radiologic Technologists in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$53,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$51,456 vs $39,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$45,406 vs $33,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $74,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $56,980▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $94,720▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $118,400▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,456▲ | $39,785 | +$11,671 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $46,768 | $62,017▲ | -$15,249 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,406▲ | $33,342 | +$12,064 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 130,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $21,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($51,456 vs $39,785 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.