Radiologic Technologist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Radiologic Technologist Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Radiologic Technologists in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$64,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$42,105 vs $39,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$36,376 vs $33,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $74,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,280 | $56,980▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,920 | $94,720▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,400 | $118,400▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,105▲ | $39,785 | +$2,320 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,292 | $62,017▲ | -$6,725 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,376▲ | $33,342 | +$3,034 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 130,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($42,105 vs $39,785 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.