MRI Technologist Pay

San Francisco vs Yuba City: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between San Francisco, CA and Yuba City, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$153,617
$73.86/hr
Yuba City, CA
$128,270
$61.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAYuba City, CA
Median Salary$153,617$128,270
Hourly Rate$73.86$61.66
Entry Level (P10)$100,388$88,353
25th Percentile$106,500$112,461
75th Percentile$184,968$140,945
Top Earner (P90)$191,533$167,379
Total Employed42010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($153,617) and Yuba City ($128,270) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.San FranciscoYuba CityMedian Salary$153,617$128,270Entry Level (P10)$100,388$88,353Top Earner (P90)$191,533$167,379US Median $100,283

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Yuba City.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Yuba City is $25,347 (19.76%). San Francisco's median is +53.18% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $91,145,Yuba City spans $79,026. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$100,388
P25$106,500
Median$153,617
P75$184,968
P90 (Top)$191,533
Yuba City
P10 (Entry)$88,353
P25$112,461
Median$128,270
P75$140,945
P90 (Top)$167,379

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($132,872 effective) pays 17.16% more than Yuba City ($113,413 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $153,617
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $132,872
Yuba City
Nominal: $128,270
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,413

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($153,617/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($191,533)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,872)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Yuba City if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in San Francisco grew 41.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.8% growth in Yuba City over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+41.6%

$103,310 (2019) → $146,260 (2025)

Yuba City, CA

+-7.8%

$132,425 (2024) → $122,127 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: San Francisco or Yuba City?

San Francisco has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $153,617/year, compared to Yuba City at $128,270/year — a difference of $25,347 (19.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Yuba City?

San Francisco magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $73.86/hr while Yuba City hygienists earn $61.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Yuba City as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Yuba City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $132,872, Yuba City = $113,413), job availability (420 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in San Francisco vs Yuba City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $100,388 in San Francisco and $88,353 in Yuba City. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

CT

Written by Carmen Torres, R.T. (R)(MR)

Career Analyst

Carmen has 10 years of experience as an MRI technologist. She specializes in pediatric imaging at a regional hospital. Carmen contributes to various industry publications.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Patel, R.T. (R)(MR)Data verified by Li Chen, MS, R.T. (R)(MR)

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.03% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Carmen Torres, R.T. (R)(MR), a licensed magnetic resonance imaging technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov