Ultrasound Tech Pay

San Francisco vs Visalia: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$168,171
$80.85/hr
Visalia, CA
$103,891
$49.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVisalia, CA
Median Salary$168,171$103,891
Hourly Rate$80.85$49.95
Entry Level (P10)$99,264$80,796
25th Percentile$129,463$90,492
75th Percentile$190,123$121,005
Top Earner (P90)$214,204$133,251
Total Employed1,30090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($168,171) and Visalia ($103,891) ultrasound technologist salaries.San FranciscoVisaliaMedian Salary$168,171$103,891Entry Level (P10)$99,264$80,796Top Earner (P90)$214,204$133,251US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Visalia is $64,280 (61.87%). 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 Francisco spans $114,940,Visalia spans $52,455. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$99,264
P25$129,463
Median$168,171
P75$190,123
P90 (Top)$214,204
Visalia
P10 (Entry)$80,796
P25$90,492
Median$103,891
P75$121,005
P90 (Top)$133,251

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($145,460 effective) pays 39.77% more than Visalia ($104,073 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $168,171
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $145,460
Visalia
Nominal: $103,891
CoL Index: 99.825
Adjusted: $104,073

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Visalia if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in San Francisco grew 39.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.5% growth in Visalia over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+39.6%

$114,790 (2019) → $160,270 (2025)

Visalia, CA

+20.5%

$82,190 (2019) → $99,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $168,171/year, compared to Visalia at $103,891/year — a difference of $64,280 (61.87%).

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

San Francisco ultrasound technologists earn $80.85/hr while Visalia hygienists earn $49.95/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Visalia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $145,460, Visalia = $104,073), job availability (1,300 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $99,264 in San Francisco and $80,796 in Visalia. 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