Ultrasound Technologist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $168,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $168,171/year (≈ $80.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $145,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.1% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, ultrasound technologists are well-compensated, with a median annual salary of $168,171. This figure reflects a significant premium over the national median of $101,352, highlighting the favorable earning potential offered in this metropolitan area. The salary range for ultrasound technologists varies from $99,264 at the 10th percentile to $214,204 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities available depending on experience, skill level, and employer. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which show that the market for this profession in San Francisco remains robust in comparison to other regions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,264 | $47.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,463 | $62.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,171 | $80.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,123 | $91.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,204 | $102.98 |
Median Salary Position
65.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,940 (2026 est.). At $168,171, the local median is 65.93% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $168,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,614 | +23.10% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +65.93% more |
Ultrasound Technologists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $168,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.93% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 23.10% above the California state average of $136,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,171 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,460 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,790
2025 BLS Actual
$160,270
2026 Current Est.
$168,171
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $161,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 39.6% from $114,790 (2019) to $160,270 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,672 (53.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $99,264 – $129,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,463 – $168,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,171 – $190,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,123 – $214,204 |
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 Francisco
The local job market consists of approximately 1,300 ultrasound technologists currently employed in the area, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals. However, San Francisco's cost-of-living index stands at 115.613, suggesting that while salaries are higher, they must also contend with elevated living expenses. Among employers, large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics generally offer the highest salaries, while community health centers and private practices may pay less. Variations in pay often stem from factors such as shift differentials, specialized credentials, employer size, and benefits packages. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, ultrasound technologists should consider pursuing advanced certifications, which can open doors to higher-paying positions and negotiate for better compensation packages with prospective employers in San Francisco, CA.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $160,270 for ultrasound technologistsin the San Francisco 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