Ultrasound Tech Pay

Compton vs San Francisco: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Compton, CA
$135,323
$65.06/hr
San Francisco, CA
$168,171
$80.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCompton, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$135,323$168,171
Hourly Rate$65.06$80.85
Entry Level (P10)$90,053$99,264
25th Percentile$116,171$129,463
75th Percentile$147,595$190,123
Top Earner (P90)$176,041$214,204
Total Employed251,300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Compton ($135,323) and San Francisco ($168,171) ultrasound technologist salaries.ComptonSan FranciscoMedian Salary$135,323$168,171Entry Level (P10)$90,053$99,264Top Earner (P90)$176,041$214,204US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Compton and San Francisco is $32,848 (24.27%). 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 Compton spans $85,988,San Francisco spans $114,940. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Compton
P10 (Entry)$90,053
P25$116,171
Median$135,323
P75$147,595
P90 (Top)$176,041
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 21.57% more than Compton ($119,649 effective).

Compton
Nominal: $135,323
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $119,649
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 Compton 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 Compton grew -7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Compton, CA

+-7.2%

$138,903 (2024) → $128,965 (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: Compton or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $168,171/year, compared to Compton at $135,323/year — a difference of $32,848 (24.27%).

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

Compton ultrasound technologists earn $65.06/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $80.85/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Compton and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Compton = $119,649, San Francisco = $145,460), job availability (25 vs 1,300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $90,053 in Compton 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