Ultrasound Tech Pay

San Francisco vs West Sacramento: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$168,171
$80.85/hr
West Sacramento, CA
$134,511
$64.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAWest Sacramento, CA
Median Salary$168,171$134,511
Hourly Rate$80.85$64.67
Entry Level (P10)$99,264$98,569
25th Percentile$129,463$114,505
75th Percentile$190,123$150,763
Top Earner (P90)$214,204$182,258
Total Employed1,3009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($168,171) and West Sacramento ($134,511) ultrasound technologist salaries.San FranciscoWest SacramentoMedian Salary$168,171$134,511Entry Level (P10)$99,264$98,569Top Earner (P90)$214,204$182,258US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and West Sacramento is $33,660 (25.02%). 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,West Sacramento spans $83,689. 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
West Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$98,569
P25$114,505
Median$134,511
P75$150,763
P90 (Top)$182,258

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($145,460 effective) pays 22.31% more than West Sacramento ($118,931 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $168,171
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $145,460
West Sacramento
Nominal: $134,511
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $118,931

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 West Sacramento 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 -7.2% growth in West Sacramento over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+39.6%

$114,790 (2019) → $160,270 (2025)

West Sacramento, CA

+-7.2%

$138,070 (2024) → $128,191 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: San Francisco or West Sacramento?

San Francisco has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $168,171/year, compared to West Sacramento at $134,511/year — a difference of $33,660 (25.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and West Sacramento?

San Francisco ultrasound technologists earn $80.85/hr while West Sacramento hygienists earn $64.67/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and West Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $145,460, West Sacramento = $118,931), job availability (1,300 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $99,264 in San Francisco and $98,569 in West Sacramento. 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