Radiologist Pay

San Buenaventura vs San Diego: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

San Buenaventura, CA
$504,771
$242.68/hr
San Diego, CA
$529,563
$254.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Buenaventura, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$504,771$529,563
Hourly Rate$242.68$254.59
Entry Level (P10)$292,767$307,147
25th Percentile$363,434$381,285
75th Percentile$623,337$663,917
Top Earner (P90)$740,898$777,730
Total Employed19307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Buenaventura ($504,771) and San Diego ($529,563) radiologist salaries.San BuenaventuraSan DiegoMedian Salary$504,771$529,563Entry Level (P10)$292,767$307,147Top Earner (P90)$740,898$777,730US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Buenaventura and San Diego is $24,792 (4.91%). San Diego's median is +19.84% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Buenaventura spans $448,131,San Diego spans $470,583. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

San Buenaventura
P10 (Entry)$292,767
P25$363,434
Median$504,771
P75$623,337
P90 (Top)$740,898
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$307,147
P25$381,285
Median$529,563
P75$663,917
P90 (Top)$777,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($468,225 effective) pays 4.91% more than San Buenaventura ($446,305 effective).

San Buenaventura
Nominal: $504,771
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $446,305
San Diego
Nominal: $529,563
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $468,225

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Buenaventura if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($529,563/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($777,730)
  • Larger job market (307 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $468,225)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

San Buenaventura, CA

+-6.5%

$514,019 (2024) → $480,734 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+-6.5%

$539,266 (2024) → $504,346 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: San Buenaventura or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median radiologist salary at $529,563/year, compared to San Buenaventura at $504,771/year — a difference of $24,792 (4.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Buenaventura and San Diego?

San Buenaventura radiologists earn $242.68/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $254.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Buenaventura to San Diego as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Buenaventura and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Buenaventura = $446,305, San Diego = $468,225), job availability (19 vs 307 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in San Buenaventura vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $292,767 in San Buenaventura and $307,147 in San Diego. The San Diego 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