Radiologist Pay

Sacramento vs South Gate: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

Sacramento, CA
$532,758
$256.14/hr
South Gate, CA
$492,321
$236.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CASouth Gate, CA
Median Salary$532,758$492,321
Hourly Rate$256.14$236.69
Entry Level (P10)$309,000$285,546
25th Percentile$383,586$354,471
75th Percentile$659,014$599,042
Top Earner (P90)$790,478$703,570
Total Employed9425
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($532,758) and South Gate ($492,321) radiologist salaries.SacramentoSouth GateMedian Salary$532,758$492,321Entry Level (P10)$309,000$285,546Top Earner (P90)$790,478$703,570US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sacramento and South Gate is $40,437 (8.21%). 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,South Gate spans $418,024. 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
South Gate
P10 (Entry)$285,546
P25$354,471
Median$492,321
P75$599,042
P90 (Top)$703,570

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($471,050 effective) pays 8.21% more than South Gate ($435,297 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $532,758
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $471,050
South Gate
Nominal: $492,321
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $435,297

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 South Gate 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 South Gate over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+-6.5%

$542,520 (2024) → $507,389 (2025)

South Gate, CA

+-6.5%

$501,341 (2024) → $468,877 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Sacramento or South Gate?

Sacramento has a higher median radiologist salary at $532,758/year, compared to South Gate at $492,321/year — a difference of $40,437 (8.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and South Gate?

Sacramento radiologists earn $256.14/hr while South Gate hygienists earn $236.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to South Gate as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and South Gate. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $471,050, South Gate = $435,297), job availability (94 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Sacramento vs South Gate?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $309,000 in Sacramento and $285,546 in South Gate. 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