Ultrasound Tech Pay

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Brea, CA: $129,631 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Brea, CA earns a median $129,631/year (≈ $62.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.

$129,631
Median Annual Salary
$62.32/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$94,853
Entry Level (P10)
$170,537
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Brea, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Brea, CA ultrasound technologist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, ultrasound technologists in Brea, California, can expect a median annual salary of $129,631, a figure that significantly surpasses the national median of $101,352 by 27.90%. The salary range for this occupation locally spans from $94,853 at the lower end (P10) to $170,537 at the upper end (P90), reflecting a healthy market for these professionals. These estimates, which are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, highlight a very competitive environment for ultrasound technologist pay in Brea, CA. The relatively high salary reflects not only the demand for skilled imaging professionals but also the costs that local employers incur in attracting and retaining talent in this specific market.

About the Brea Market

Salary estimated from California average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$94,853$45.60
Lower Range (P25)$109,466$52.63
Median (P50)(typical)$129,631$62.32
Upper Range (P75)$143,490$68.98
Top Earners (P90)$170,537$81.99

Median Salary Position

$94,853$170,537
City Median: $129,631
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

27.90% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for ultrasound technologists in Brea. The median salary is $129,631, compared to the national median of $101,352.$85.4K$108.8K$132.2K$155.6K$179.1K$94.9K10th Pctl$109.5K25th Pctl$129.6KMedian$143.5K75th Pctl$170.5K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In Brea, CA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,684 (2026 est.). At $129,631, the local median is 27.9% above the national median of $101,352.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of ultrasound technologist pay in the Brea metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,493
per week
$10,802
per month
$129,621
per year

At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Brea Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares

Brea median: $129,631/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBrea Pays
California Average$136,597-5.10% less
National Average$101,352+27.90% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing ultrasound technologist median salary in Brea ($129,631) with California average ($136,597) and the US national median ($101,352).Brea$129,631California Avg$136,597-5.10%US National$101,352+27.90%

Ultrasound Technologists in Brea, CA earn a median of $129,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.90% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 5.10% below the California state average of $136,597.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$129,631
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$114,616
Adjusted Salary

Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $129,631. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $114,616, a loss of $15,015.$86.1K$101.9K$117.6K$133.3K$149.1K$129,631NominalSalary$114,616CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $101.4K

Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,616 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$95,056

2025 BLS Actual

$123,540

2026 Current Est.

$129,631

2019–2027 Growth

+43.1%

Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Brea (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for ultrasound technologists in Brea. Baseline $95,056 in 2025, projected to $136,021 by 2027.$86.9K$101.2K$115.5K$129.9K$144.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$95.1K$97.1K$99.4K$104.0K$108.0K$133.1K$123.5K$129.6K$136.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$95,056Actual
2020$97,103Actual
2021$99,431Actual
2022$104,048Actual
2023$108,038Actual
2024$133,060Actual
2025$123,540Actual
2026(current)$129,631Estimated
2027$136,021Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $95,056 (2019) to $123,540 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,965 (43.10%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.93% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$94,853$109,466
3-5 years (Mid Career)$109,466$129,631
5+ years (Experienced)$129,631$143,490
10+ years (Top Earner)$143,490$170,537

Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Brea

The job market for ultrasound technologists in Brea is relatively small, with only 10 professionals currently employed in the region. However, the cost of living index in Brea is at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average. This can impact take-home purchasing power, making higher salaries crucial for maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer the most competitive pay for ultrasound technologists, compared to private practices and community health centers. The variance in pay scales can often be attributed to factors like shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the benefits structure provided by employers. Professionals seeking to maximize their ultrasound technologist salary in Brea should consider pursuing specialized certifications and exploring job opportunities at premier healthcare facilities, as these can significantly enhance earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ultrasound technologists make in Brea, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median ultrasound technologist salary in Brea is $129,631/year ($62.32/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $94,853 at entry level (10th percentile) to $170,537 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Brea at 27.9% above the national median. Full-time ultrasound technologists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Brea, CA a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?

Brea ultrasound technologist salaries are 27.9% above the national average and 5.1% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 10 ultrasound technologists. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in Brea?

Yes — the median ultrasound technologist salary in Brea is already $129,631, meaning more than half of ultrasound technologists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $170,537/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted ultrasound technologist salary in Brea?

After adjusting for Brea's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $129,631 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $114,616 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Brea reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a ultrasound technologist make per hour in Brea?

Ultrasound Technologists in Brea earn a median hourly rate of $62.32, which translates to approximately $129,631/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $45.60 for entry-level positions to $81.99 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem ultrasound technologists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $123,540 for ultrasound technologistsin the Brea metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.93%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ultrasound technologists (SOC 29-2032).

Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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