Ultrasound Tech Pay

Riverside vs San Buenaventura: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$111,079
$53.41/hr
San Buenaventura, CA
$137,990
$66.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CASan Buenaventura, CA
Median Salary$111,079$137,990
Hourly Rate$53.41$66.34
Entry Level (P10)$64,322$100,331
25th Percentile$102,076$117,215
75th Percentile$135,748$157,125
Top Earner (P90)$158,046$192,266
Total Employed96019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($111,079) and San Buenaventura ($137,990) ultrasound technologist salaries.RiversideSan BuenaventuraMedian Salary$111,079$137,990Entry Level (P10)$64,322$100,331Top Earner (P90)$158,046$192,266US Median $101,352

Verdict

San Buenaventura, CA offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Riverside and San Buenaventura is $26,911 (24.23%). San Buenaventura's median is +36.15% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $93,724,San Buenaventura spans $91,935. Riverside has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$64,322
P25$102,076
Median$111,079
P75$135,748
P90 (Top)$158,046
San Buenaventura
P10 (Entry)$100,331
P25$117,215
Median$137,990
P75$157,125
P90 (Top)$192,266

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Buenaventura ($122,007 effective) pays 16.91% more than Riverside ($104,356 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $111,079
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $104,356
San Buenaventura
Nominal: $137,990
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $122,007

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (960 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Buenaventura if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,990/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($192,266)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,007)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Riverside grew 23.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.2% growth in San Buenaventura over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+23.2%

$85,950 (2019) → $105,860 (2025)

San Buenaventura, CA

+-7.2%

$141,641 (2024) → $131,507 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Riverside or San Buenaventura?

San Buenaventura has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $137,990/year, compared to Riverside at $111,079/year — a difference of $26,911 (24.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and San Buenaventura?

Riverside ultrasound technologists earn $53.41/hr while San Buenaventura hygienists earn $66.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Riverside to San Buenaventura as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and San Buenaventura. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $104,356, San Buenaventura = $122,007), job availability (960 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Riverside vs San Buenaventura?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $64,322 in Riverside and $100,331 in San Buenaventura. The San Buenaventura 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