Ultrasound Tech Pay

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in San Mateo, CA: $138,078 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in San Mateo, CA earns a median $138,078/year (≈ $66.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in San Mateo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,085 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.

$138,078
Median Annual Salary
$66.38/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$90,120
Entry Level (P10)
$192,209
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In San Mateo, California, ultrasound technologists can expect a median annual salary of $138,078 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $101,352. Compensation in this area ranges from $90,120 at the lower end (P10) to $192,209 at the top (P90), indicating a substantial earning potential influenced by various factors. These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which is above the national average, the purchasing power of this salary reflects the competitive job market for ultrasound professionals in San Mateo.

About the San Mateo Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$90,120$43.33
Lower Range (P25)$117,395$56.44
Median (P50)(typical)$138,078$66.38
Upper Range (P75)$152,125$73.14
Top Earners (P90)$192,209$92.41

Median Salary Position

$90,120$192,209
City Median: $138,078
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

36.24% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Mateo

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for ultrasound technologists in San Mateo. The median salary is $138,078, compared to the national median of $101,352.$81.1K$111.3K$141.5K$171.6K$201.8K$90.1K10th Pctl$117.4K25th Pctl$138.1KMedian$152.1K75th Pctl$192.2K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In San Mateo, CA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,089 (2026 est.). At $138,078, the local median is 36.24% above the national median of $101,352.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,655
per week
$11,506
per month
$138,068
per year

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

How San Mateo Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares

San Mateo median: $138,078/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySan Mateo Pays
California Average$136,576+1.10% more
National Average$101,352+36.24% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing ultrasound technologist median salary in San Mateo ($138,078) with California average ($136,576) and the US national median ($101,352).San Mateo$138,078California Avg$136,576+1.10%US National$101,352+36.24%

Ultrasound Technologists in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $138,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.24% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 1.10% above the California state average of $136,576.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$138,078
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$122,085
Adjusted Salary

San Mateo 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 $138,078. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $122,085, a loss of $15,993.$86.1K$104.3K$122.5K$140.6K$158.8K$138,078NominalSalary$122,085CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $101.4K

San Mateo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,078 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,085 — a 11.58% reduction.

Compare Purchasing Power

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2019 BLS Actual

$101,251

2025 BLS Actual

$131,591

2026 Current Est.

$138,078

2019–2027 Growth

+43.1%

Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in San Mateo (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 San Mateo. Baseline $101,251 in 2025, projected to $144,886 by 2027.$92.5K$107.8K$123.1K$138.3K$153.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$101.3K$103.4K$105.9K$110.8K$115.1K$141.7K$131.6K$138.1K$144.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$101,251Actual
2020$103,431Actual
2021$105,910Actual
2022$110,829Actual
2023$115,079Actual
2024$141,731Actual
2025$131,591Actual
2026(current)$138,078Estimated
2027$144,886Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Mateo metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $101,251 (2019) to $131,591 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,635 (43.10%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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)$90,120$117,395
3-5 years (Mid Career)$117,395$138,078
5+ years (Experienced)$138,078$152,125
10+ years (Top Earner)$152,125$192,209

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 Mateo

The job market for ultrasound technologists in San Mateo is relatively small, with 21 employed in the area, yet it appears stable, offering considerable opportunities for those seeking to boost their earnings. While the cost of living in the region can strain take-home pay, healthcare organizations, and specialty clinics tend to offer the most competitive salaries within the community. Variation in ultrasound technologist pay in San Mateo CA arises due to factors such as shift differentials, specialties, and the size of the employing organization. To maximize earning potential, professionals might consider obtaining advanced certifications or focusing on in-demand specialties, aligning with the local health care needs. Networking with local employers and staying informed about job openings can also provide strategic advantages in securing higher-paying positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ultrasound technologists make in San Mateo, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median ultrasound technologist salary in San Mateo is $138,078/year ($66.38/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $90,120 at entry level (10th percentile) to $192,209 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts San Mateo at 36.2% 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 San Mateo, CA a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?

San Mateo ultrasound technologist salaries are 36.2% above the national average and 1.1% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 21 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 San Mateo?

Yes — the median ultrasound technologist salary in San Mateo is already $138,078, meaning more than half of ultrasound technologists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $192,209/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 San Mateo?

After adjusting for San Mateo's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $138,078 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $122,085 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in San Mateo 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 San Mateo?

Ultrasound Technologists in San Mateo earn a median hourly rate of $66.38, which translates to approximately $138,078/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $43.33 for entry-level positions to $92.41 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 $131,591 for ultrasound technologistsin the San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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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