Radiologic Technologist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Radiologic Technologist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Radiologic Technologists in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$74,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$39,785 vs $44,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$33,342 vs $39,337
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000▲ | $57,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,980▲ | $43,890 | +$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,720▲ | $72,960 | +$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $118,400▲ | $91,200 | +$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $39,785 | $44,531▲ | -$4,746 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,017▲ | $50,351 | +$11,666 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,342 | $39,337▲ | -$5,995 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 70,000 | +60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $17,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($39,785 vs $44,531 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.