Ultrasound Tech Pay

Riverside vs Torrance: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$111,079
$53.41/hr
Torrance, CA
$138,972
$66.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$111,079$138,972
Hourly Rate$53.41$66.81
Entry Level (P10)$64,322$91,697
25th Percentile$102,076$110,969
75th Percentile$135,748$159,443
Top Earner (P90)$158,046$195,654
Total Employed96026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($111,079) and Torrance ($138,972) ultrasound technologist salaries.RiversideTorranceMedian Salary$111,079$138,972Entry Level (P10)$64,322$91,697Top Earner (P90)$158,046$195,654US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Riverside and Torrance is $27,893 (25.11%). Torrance's median is +37.12% 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,Torrance spans $103,957. Torrance 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
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$91,697
P25$110,969
Median$138,972
P75$159,443
P90 (Top)$195,654

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Torrance ($122,875 effective) pays 17.75% more than Riverside ($104,356 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $111,079
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $104,356
Torrance
Nominal: $138,972
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $122,875

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 Torrance if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,972/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($195,654)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,875)
  • 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 Torrance over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+23.2%

$85,950 (2019) → $105,860 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-7.2%

$142,649 (2024) → $132,443 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Riverside or Torrance?

Torrance has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $138,972/year, compared to Riverside at $111,079/year — a difference of $27,893 (25.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Torrance?

Riverside ultrasound technologists earn $53.41/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $66.81/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $104,356, Torrance = $122,875), job availability (960 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $64,322 in Riverside and $91,697 in Torrance. The Torrance 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