Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Santa Ana, CA: $144,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Santa Ana, CA earns a median $144,764/year (≈ $69.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Santa Ana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $127,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary projection for ultrasound technologists in Santa Ana, California, is estimated at $144,764, significantly higher than the national median of $101,352. This positions Santa Ana about 42.83% above the national average, emphasizing the city's robust compensation for these healthcare professionals. The salary range for ultrasound technologists varies widely, with the lowest earners making approximately $93,654 and the top earners reaching up to $200,365. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect a competitive local job market that offers favorable pay compared to other regions in California.
About the Santa Ana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,654 | $45.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,269 | $54.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,764 | $69.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,328 | $78.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,365 | $96.33 |
Median Salary Position
42.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Ana
In Santa Ana, CA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,711 (2026 est.). At $144,764, the local median is 42.83% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Ana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Ana Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Santa Ana median: $144,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Ana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,569 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +42.83% more |
Ultrasound Technologists in Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $144,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.83% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 6.00% above the California state average of $136,569.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Ana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Ana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,764 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,996 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,153
2025 BLS Actual
$137,962
2026 Current Est.
$144,764
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,439 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,038 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,194 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,651 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,593 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,962 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Ana metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $106,153 (2019) to $137,962 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,747 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Ana 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) | $93,654 – $114,269 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,269 – $144,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,764 – $163,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,328 – $200,365 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Santa Ana
Currently, Santa Ana is home to 69 ultrasound technologists, illustrating a localized labor pool for this profession. Despite the higher salary figures, it's important to consider the cost of living, which has a cost-of-living index of 113.1, slightly above the national average. This indicates that while pay is higher in Santa Ana, the cost of housing and other expenses may impact take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer the highest salaries, often due to their comprehensive benefits packages and resources. Factors such as shift differentials, specialty certifications, and experience level can contribute to the significant salary disparity between the lower and upper ends of the pay scale. To maximize earnings in this market, ultrasound technologists should seek opportunities with larger health facilities, consider pursuing advanced certifications, and remain flexible with shift preferences.
More salary data for Santa Ana, 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 $137,962 for ultrasound technologistsin the Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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