Ultrasound Tech Pay

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Irvine, CA: $141,928 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Irvine, CA earns a median $141,928/year (≈ $68.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,489 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.

$141,928
Median Annual Salary
$68.24/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$97,945
Entry Level (P10)
$200,398
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, an ultrasound technologist in Irvine, California, can expect a median salary of $141,928, reflecting a significant 40.03% premium over the national median of $101,352. The local salary range spans from $97,945 at P10 to $200,398 at P90, showcasing the potential for lucrative earnings in this well-paying field. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations. Given Irvine's cost-of-living index of 113.1, this compensation allows ultrasound technologists to maintain a considerable purchasing power, attributing to a competitive job environment in the region.

About the Irvine Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$97,945$47.09
Lower Range (P25)$117,057$56.27
Median (P50)(typical)$141,928$68.24
Upper Range (P75)$165,295$79.47
Top Earners (P90)$200,398$96.35

Median Salary Position

$97,945$200,398
City Median: $141,928
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

40.03% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for ultrasound technologists in Irvine. The median salary is $141,928, compared to the national median of $101,352.$88.2K$118.7K$149.3K$179.9K$210.4K$97.9K10th Pctl$117.1K25th Pctl$141.9KMedian$165.3K75th Pctl$200.4K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In Irvine, CA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,453 (2026 est.). At $141,928, the local median is 40.03% above the national median of $101,352.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,729
per week
$11,828
per month
$141,931
per year

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

How Irvine Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares

Irvine median: $141,928/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryIrvine Pays
California Average$136,601+3.90% more
National Average$101,352+40.03% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing ultrasound technologist median salary in Irvine ($141,928) with California average ($136,601) and the US national median ($101,352).Irvine$141,928California Avg$136,601+3.90%US National$101,352+40.03%

Ultrasound Technologists in Irvine, CA earn a median of $141,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.03% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 3.90% above the California state average of $136,601.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$141,928
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$125,489
Adjusted Salary

Irvine 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 $141,928. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $125,489, a loss of $16,439.$86.1K$105.4K$124.7K$144.0K$163.2K$141,928NominalSalary$125,489CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $101.4K

Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,928 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,489 — a 11.58% reduction.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2019 BLS Actual

$104,074

2025 BLS Actual

$135,260

2026 Current Est.

$141,928

2019–2027 Growth

+43.1%

Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Irvine (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 Irvine. Baseline $104,074 in 2025, projected to $148,925 by 2027.$95.1K$110.8K$126.5K$142.2K$157.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$104.1K$106.3K$108.9K$113.9K$118.3K$145.7K$135.3K$141.9K$148.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$104,074Actual
2020$106,315Actual
2021$108,863Actual
2022$113,919Actual
2023$118,288Actual
2024$145,684Actual
2025$135,260Actual
2026(current)$141,928Estimated
2027$148,925Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $104,074 (2019) to $135,260 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,925 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,851 (43.10%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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)$97,945$117,057
3-5 years (Mid Career)$117,057$141,928
5+ years (Experienced)$141,928$165,295
10+ years (Top Earner)$165,295$200,398

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

Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Irvine

The job market in Irvine currently employs 72 ultrasound technologists, highlighting an active demand for professionals in this sector. With the local cost-of-living index at 113.1, take-home pay is crucial; higher salaries become essential for affording the area's housing and everyday expenses. Major employers in Irvine, such as large healthcare organizations, often provide the highest salaries compared to private practices, community health centers, and specialty clinics. Variations in pay can stem from several factors, including shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the size and benefits structures of employers. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, ultrasound technologists should consider specializing in high-demand areas, pursuing advanced certifications, and seeking positions with larger healthcare facilities that offer comprehensive compensation packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median ultrasound technologist salary in Irvine is $141,928/year ($68.24/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $97,945 at entry level (10th percentile) to $200,398 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Irvine at 40.0% 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 Irvine, CA a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?

Irvine ultrasound technologist salaries are 40.0% above the national average and 3.9% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 72 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 Irvine?

Yes — the median ultrasound technologist salary in Irvine is already $141,928, meaning more than half of ultrasound technologists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $200,398/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 Irvine?

After adjusting for Irvine's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $141,928 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $125,489 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Irvine 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 Irvine?

Ultrasound Technologists in Irvine earn a median hourly rate of $68.24, which translates to approximately $141,928/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $47.09 for entry-level positions to $96.35 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

Nearby Cities in California

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 $135,260 for ultrasound technologistsin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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

Last verified: