Radiologist Pay

Chula Vista vs Los Angeles: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Chula Vista, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chula Vista, CA
$515,384
$247.78/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$513,104
$246.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChula Vista, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$515,384$513,104
Hourly Rate$247.78$246.69
Entry Level (P10)$298,922$101,241
25th Percentile$371,076$102,984
75th Percentile$626,368$521,630
Top Earner (P90)$745,650$521,630
Total Employed51310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chula Vista ($515,384) and Los Angeles ($513,104) radiologist salaries.Chula VistaLos AngelesMedian Salary$515,384$513,104Entry Level (P10)$298,922$101,241Top Earner (P90)$745,650$521,630US Median $441,903

Verdict

Chula Vista, CA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Chula Vista and Los Angeles is $2,280 (0.44%). Chula Vista's median is +16.63% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chula Vista spans $446,728,Los Angeles spans $420,389. Chula Vista has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chula Vista
P10 (Entry)$298,922
P25$371,076
Median$515,384
P75$626,368
P90 (Top)$745,650
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$101,241
P25$102,984
Median$513,104
P75$521,630
P90 (Top)$521,630

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chula Vista ($455,689 effective) pays 0.86% more than Los Angeles ($451,811 effective).

Chula Vista
Nominal: $515,384
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $455,689
Los Angeles
Nominal: $513,104
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $451,811

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chula Vista if…

  • Higher median salary ($515,384/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($745,650)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $455,689)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Chula Vista grew -6.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -10.9% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Chula Vista, CA

+-6.5%

$524,827 (2024) → $490,842 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+-10.9%

$548,633 (2024) → $488,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Chula Vista or Los Angeles?

Chula Vista has a higher median radiologist salary at $515,384/year, compared to Los Angeles at $513,104/year — a difference of $2,280 (0.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chula Vista and Los Angeles?

Chula Vista radiologists earn $247.78/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $246.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chula Vista to Los Angeles as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chula Vista and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chula Vista = $455,689, Los Angeles = $451,811), job availability (51 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Chula Vista vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $298,922 in Chula Vista and $101,241 in Los Angeles. The Chula Vista area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD

Career Analyst

Dr. Chen has 10 years of experience in diagnostic radiology. She specializes in imaging techniques for oncology. She works at a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Rajesh Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Lisa Gonzalez, MD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.00% 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 Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed radiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov