Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Riverside, CA: $111,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Riverside, CA earns a median $111,079/year (≈ $53.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $104,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.7% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, ultrasound technologists in Riverside, California, can expect a median annual salary of $111,079, which positions the compensation above the national median of $101,352 by approximately 9.60%. This competitive salary reflects a range from $64,322 at the 10th percentile to $158,046 at the 90th percentile, highlighting considerable variance in pay based on experience, employer type, and credentials. The data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys offers insight into the financial prospects of this career in Riverside, where heightened demand and regional growth are factors contributing to the increased earnings potential for ultrasound technologists in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,322 | $30.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,076 | $49.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,079 | $53.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,748 | $65.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,046 | $75.99 |
Median Salary Position
9.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,724 (2026 est.). At $111,079, the local median is 9.6% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be above the median
How Riverside Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Riverside median: $111,079/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,628 | -18.70% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +9.60% more |
Ultrasound Technologists in Riverside, CA earn a median of $111,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.60% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 18.70% below the California state average of $136,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,079 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,356 — a 6.05% 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
$85,950
2025 BLS Actual
$105,860
2026 Current Est.
$111,079
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 23.2% from $85,950 (2019) to $105,860 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,605 (35.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,322 – $102,076 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,076 – $111,079 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,079 – $135,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,748 – $158,046 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Riverside
With around 960 ultrasound technologists employed in Riverside, the job market remains robust. However, the cost of living is slightly elevated, with a cost-of-living index of 106.442, which means take-home purchasing power might be impacted for those in the field. The most lucrative opportunities typically arise within large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, where salaries can reflect the complexities and demands of the roles. The pay disparity across positions may be influenced by factors such as shift differentials, advanced certification requirements, and the overall benefits structure offered by employers. For those looking to maximize their ultrasound technologist pay in Riverside, pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment with larger, more established healthcare providers can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ultrasound technologists make in Riverside, CA in 2026?
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?
Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in Riverside?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ultrasound technologist salary in Riverside?
How much does a ultrasound technologist make per hour in Riverside?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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.
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 $105,860 for ultrasound technologistsin the Riverside 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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