Ultrasound Technologist Salary in San Diego, CA: $136,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in San Diego, CA earns a median $136,021/year (≈ $65.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $121,570 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an ultrasound technologist in San Diego can expect to earn a median annual salary of $136,021, reflecting a significant purchasing power advantage compared to the national median of $101,352. This figure represents a salary range from $68,509 at the low end (10th percentile) to $176,345 at the high end (90th percentile), indicating a wide spread among salaries based on experience, skills, and employer type. These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and provide a clear picture of the earning potential for ultrasound technologists in a city where the job market remains competitive and the demand for skilled technicians is robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,509 | $32.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,991 | $52.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,021 | $65.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,436 | $74.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,345 | $84.78 |
Median Salary Position
34.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,836 (2026 est.). At $136,021, the local median is 34.21% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
San Diego median: $136,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,567 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +34.21% more |
Ultrasound Technologists in San Diego, CA earn a median of $136,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.21% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.40% below the California state average of $136,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,021 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,570 — a 10.62% 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
$100,400
2025 BLS Actual
$129,630
2026 Current Est.
$136,021
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,727 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 29.1% from $100,400 (2019) to $129,630 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,727 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,327 (42.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $68,509 – $108,991 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,991 – $136,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,021 – $154,436 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,436 – $176,345 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in San Diego
In San Diego, approximately 720 ultrasound technologists contribute to a local healthcare system that values skills and specialization, yet faces a challenging cost of living index of 111.887. This average indicates that while salaries here are elevated relative to national figures, the purchasing power may be affected by the higher living costs. Those seeking to maximize their earnings should consider positions in large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics, which typically offer better compensation compared to private practices or community health centers. Additionally, factors like shift differentials, specialty certifications, and the overall benefits package are crucial in determining compensation levels in this market. To enhance pay prospects, technologists should pursue additional certifications and skill diversification, aligning themselves with employers that recognize advanced qualifications and provide significant salary incentives.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ultrasound technologists make in San Diego, CA in 2026?
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?
Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in San Diego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ultrasound technologist salary in San Diego?
How much does a ultrasound technologist make per hour in San Diego?
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 $129,630 for ultrasound technologistsin the San Diego 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