Ultrasound Tech Pay

Riverside vs Stockton: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$111,079
$53.41/hr
Stockton, CA
$136,629
$65.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CAStockton, CA
Median Salary$111,079$136,629
Hourly Rate$53.41$65.69
Entry Level (P10)$64,322$87,165
25th Percentile$102,076$106,976
75th Percentile$135,748$174,257
Top Earner (P90)$158,046$187,541
Total Employed960140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($111,079) and Stockton ($136,629) ultrasound technologist salaries.RiversideStocktonMedian Salary$111,079$136,629Entry Level (P10)$64,322$87,165Top Earner (P90)$158,046$187,541US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Riverside and Stockton is $25,550 (23.00%). Stockton's median is +34.81% 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,Stockton spans $100,376. Stockton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$64,322
P25$102,076
Median$111,079
P75$135,748
P90 (Top)$158,046
Stockton
P10 (Entry)$87,165
P25$106,976
Median$136,629
P75$174,257
P90 (Top)$187,541

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stockton ($130,013 effective) pays 24.59% more than Riverside ($104,356 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $111,079
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $104,356
Stockton
Nominal: $136,629
CoL Index: 105.089
Adjusted: $130,013

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 Stockton if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,629/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($187,541)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $130,013)
  • 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 25.5% growth in Stockton over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+23.2%

$85,950 (2019) → $105,860 (2025)

Stockton, CA

+25.5%

$103,790 (2019) → $130,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Riverside or Stockton?

Stockton has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $136,629/year, compared to Riverside at $111,079/year — a difference of $25,550 (23.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Stockton?

Riverside ultrasound technologists earn $53.41/hr while Stockton hygienists earn $65.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Riverside to Stockton as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Stockton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $104,356, Stockton = $130,013), job availability (960 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $64,322 in Riverside and $87,165 in Stockton. The Stockton 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