Ultrasound Tech Pay

San Clemente vs San Francisco: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between San Clemente, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Clemente, CA
$135,875
$65.33/hr
San Francisco, CA
$168,171
$80.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Clemente, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$135,875$168,171
Hourly Rate$65.33$80.85
Entry Level (P10)$91,308$99,264
25th Percentile$114,336$129,463
75th Percentile$154,040$190,123
Top Earner (P90)$186,498$214,204
Total Employed101,300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Clemente ($135,875) and San Francisco ($168,171) ultrasound technologist salaries.San ClementeSan FranciscoMedian Salary$135,875$168,171Entry Level (P10)$91,308$99,264Top Earner (P90)$186,498$214,204US Median $101,352

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Clemente.

The salary gap between San Clemente and San Francisco is $32,296 (23.77%). San Francisco's median is +65.93% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Clemente spans $95,190,San Francisco spans $114,940. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

San Clemente
P10 (Entry)$91,308
P25$114,336
Median$135,875
P75$154,040
P90 (Top)$186,498
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$99,264
P25$129,463
Median$168,171
P75$190,123
P90 (Top)$214,204

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($145,460 effective) pays 21.08% more than San Clemente ($120,137 effective).

San Clemente
Nominal: $135,875
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $120,137
San Francisco
Nominal: $168,171
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $145,460

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Clemente if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($168,171/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($214,204)
  • Larger job market (1,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,460)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in San Clemente grew -7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

San Clemente, CA

+-7.2%

$139,469 (2024) → $129,491 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+39.6%

$114,790 (2019) → $160,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: San Clemente or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $168,171/year, compared to San Clemente at $135,875/year — a difference of $32,296 (23.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Clemente and San Francisco?

San Clemente ultrasound technologists earn $65.33/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $80.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Clemente to San Francisco as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Clemente and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Clemente = $120,137, San Francisco = $145,460), job availability (10 vs 1,300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in San Clemente vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $91,308 in San Clemente and $99,264 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

RP

Written by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT

Career Analyst

Ravi has 10 years of experience as an ultrasound technologist. He specializes in abdominal and pelvic imaging. He works in a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, RDMS, RTData verified by James Kim, RDCS, RVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.93% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov