Radiologist Pay

San Diego vs Turlock: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

San Diego, CA
$529,563
$254.59/hr
Turlock, CA
$488,758
$234.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CATurlock, CA
Median Salary$529,563$488,758
Hourly Rate$254.59$234.98
Entry Level (P10)$307,147$283,480
25th Percentile$381,285$351,905
75th Percentile$663,917$601,558
Top Earner (P90)$777,730$708,020
Total Employed30717
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($529,563) and Turlock ($488,758) radiologist salaries.San DiegoTurlockMedian Salary$529,563$488,758Entry Level (P10)$307,147$283,480Top Earner (P90)$777,730$708,020US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Diego and Turlock is $40,805 (8.35%). 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 Diego spans $470,583,Turlock spans $424,540. San Diego has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Diego
P10 (Entry)$307,147
P25$381,285
Median$529,563
P75$663,917
P90 (Top)$777,730
Turlock
P10 (Entry)$283,480
P25$351,905
Median$488,758
P75$601,558
P90 (Top)$708,020

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($468,225 effective) pays 8.35% more than Turlock ($432,147 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $529,563
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $468,225
Turlock
Nominal: $488,758
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $432,147

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Turlock if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

San Diego, CA

+-6.5%

$539,266 (2024) → $504,346 (2025)

Turlock, CA

+-6.5%

$497,713 (2024) → $465,484 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: San Diego or Turlock?

San Diego has a higher median radiologist salary at $529,563/year, compared to Turlock at $488,758/year — a difference of $40,805 (8.35%).

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

San Diego radiologists earn $254.59/hr while Turlock hygienists earn $234.98/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and Turlock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $468,225, Turlock = $432,147), job availability (307 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $307,147 in San Diego and $283,480 in Turlock. 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