Radiologist Pay

Sacramento vs San Clemente: Radiologist Salary (2026)

Compare radiologist salaries between Sacramento, CA and San Clemente, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$532,758
$256.14/hr
San Clemente, CA
$497,031
$238.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CASan Clemente, CA
Median Salary$532,758$497,031
Hourly Rate$256.14$238.96
Entry Level (P10)$309,000$288,279
25th Percentile$383,586$357,862
75th Percentile$659,014$610,833
Top Earner (P90)$790,478$718,493
Total Employed9410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($532,758) and San Clemente ($497,031) radiologist salaries.SacramentoSan ClementeMedian Salary$532,758$497,031Entry Level (P10)$309,000$288,279Top Earner (P90)$790,478$718,493US Median $441,903

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Clemente.

The salary gap between Sacramento and San Clemente is $35,727 (7.19%). Sacramento's median is +20.56% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $481,478,San Clemente spans $430,214. Sacramento has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$309,000
P25$383,586
Median$532,758
P75$659,014
P90 (Top)$790,478
San Clemente
P10 (Entry)$288,279
P25$357,862
Median$497,031
P75$610,833
P90 (Top)$718,493

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($471,050 effective) pays 7.19% more than San Clemente ($439,462 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $532,758
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $471,050
San Clemente
Nominal: $497,031
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $439,462

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($532,758/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($790,478)
  • Larger job market (94 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $471,050)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Clemente if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Sacramento grew -6.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.5% growth in San Clemente over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+-6.5%

$542,520 (2024) → $507,389 (2025)

San Clemente, CA

+-6.5%

$506,138 (2024) → $473,363 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Sacramento or San Clemente?

Sacramento has a higher median radiologist salary at $532,758/year, compared to San Clemente at $497,031/year — a difference of $35,727 (7.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and San Clemente?

Sacramento radiologists earn $256.14/hr while San Clemente hygienists earn $238.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to San Clemente as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and San Clemente. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $471,050, San Clemente = $439,462), job availability (94 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Sacramento vs San Clemente?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $309,000 in Sacramento and $288,279 in San Clemente. The Sacramento 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