Salary comparison
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: San Jose vs Modesto
San Jose, CA pays about 20.0% more for radiologic technologists and technicians on paper — $154,850 vs $129,030. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, San Jose comes out ahead by $25,820 a year in real buying power.
San Jose, CA
$154,850
$126,590
$176,280
$74.45
100
$154,850/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Modesto, CA
$129,030
$102,580
$157,340
$62.04
100
$129,030/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $25,820 a year (20.0%) in favor of San Jose. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
San Jose runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Modesto sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, San Jose is the better deal by $25,820 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Modesto to San Jose for this role, the raise needs to beat 20.0% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more, San Jose or Modesto?
San Jose pays $154,850 on median — about 20.0% more than Modesto ($129,030). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
San Jose. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, San Jose gives you roughly$154,850 of real buying power versus $129,030 in the other city.