How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in California in 2026?

A typical Rad Tech in California earns about $58.30 per hour, or $121,260 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $10,105 a month and $2,332 a week, figures calculated from the annual median. These numbers describe typical pay for the occupation across the state as a whole.

California pay runs 51% above the national figure of $80,110 a year, the highest position among all 51 states and jurisdictions. The state is home to 20,900 Rad Techs, compared with 230,490 nationwide. For someone comparing offers across state lines, that gap shows how far California pay stands out from the rest of the country.

Entry-level positions in California typically offer around $33.76 an hour, or about $70,210 a year, based on the latest government wage data (May 2025). This range applies to Rad Techs who are new to the field or working in lower-paying settings. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $121,260 within the first several years on the job, as experience and additional certifications build.

Experienced Rad Techs in California often earn upwards of $66.24 an hour, or about $137,770 a year, once they reach the higher end of the pay range. The top 10% of earners make over $165,460 a year, working out to $79.55 an hour. The gap between entry-level and top-tier pay comes to $95,250, a spread shaped by years of experience, work setting, and the city where the job is located.

California's Rad Tech pay has climbed steadily since 2019, when the typical wage stood at $84,670 a year. By 2025, that figure reached $121,260 a year, a gain of $36,590. That works out to a rise of about 43% over six years, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).

Nationally, pay for the occupation rose 32% over the same stretch, meaning California's increase outpaced the country as a whole. Wages climbed in every one of those years, without a single decline. For someone entering the field now, that history shows pay has moved upward in recent years, though it offers no guarantee about what comes next.

Pay runs highest in Vallejo, where Rad Techs typically earn $160,380 a year, or $77.10 an hour, based on full metro-area figures. That's 32% above the statewide figure of $121,260. Sunnyvale, San Jose, and Santa Clara follow close behind, with typical pay of $154,850 a year in each metro area.

At the other end, El Centro pays the least among California's metro areas, with typical pay of $92,000 a year, or $44.23 an hour. That leaves a spread of $68,380 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas in the state. Anaheim employs the most Rad Techs of any California metro area, at 6,450, with typical pay of $108,030 a year. Higher pay in metro areas like Vallejo and San Jose usually tracks a higher cost of living.

California's Rad Tech pay stands well above its neighbors. Oregon's typical pay comes to $102,290 a year, 16% below California's figure, while Arizona sits lower still at $89,200, a gap of 26%. Nevada pays the least among the three at $82,910 a year, 32% below California. Licensing and registry credentials earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Rad Techs in California typically earn $121,260 a year, or $58.30 an hour, a figure that has climbed 43% since 2019. That growth has outpaced the national rise of 32% over the same stretch. For specific requirements, check California's licensing and registry board pages; for pay in a particular city, the metro-area figures above and the individual city pages offer a closer look at local numbers.