Radiologist Pay

San Jose vs Whittier: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

San Jose, CA
$540,014
$259.62/hr
Whittier, CA
$507,125
$243.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Jose, CAWhittier, CA
Median Salary$540,014$507,125
Hourly Rate$259.62$243.81
Entry Level (P10)$313,208$294,132
25th Percentile$388,810$365,130
75th Percentile$655,824$605,615
Top Earner (P90)$780,467$703,062
Total Employed16822
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Jose ($540,014) and Whittier ($507,125) radiologist salaries.San JoseWhittierMedian Salary$540,014$507,125Entry Level (P10)$313,208$294,132Top Earner (P90)$780,467$703,062US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Jose and Whittier is $32,889 (6.49%). San Jose's median is +22.20% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Jose spans $467,259,Whittier spans $408,930. San Jose has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Jose
P10 (Entry)$313,208
P25$388,810
Median$540,014
P75$655,824
P90 (Top)$780,467
Whittier
P10 (Entry)$294,132
P25$365,130
Median$507,125
P75$605,615
P90 (Top)$703,062

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Jose ($477,466 effective) pays 6.49% more than Whittier ($448,386 effective).

San Jose
Nominal: $540,014
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $477,466
Whittier
Nominal: $507,125
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $448,386

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Jose if…

  • Higher median salary ($540,014/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($780,467)
  • Larger job market (168 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $477,466)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Whittier if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

San Jose, CA

+-6.5%

$549,908 (2024) → $514,299 (2025)

Whittier, CA

+-6.5%

$516,417 (2024) → $482,976 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: San Jose or Whittier?

San Jose has a higher median radiologist salary at $540,014/year, compared to Whittier at $507,125/year — a difference of $32,889 (6.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Jose and Whittier?

San Jose radiologists earn $259.62/hr while Whittier hygienists earn $243.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Jose to Whittier as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Jose and Whittier. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Jose = $477,466, Whittier = $448,386), job availability (168 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in San Jose vs Whittier?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $313,208 in San Jose and $294,132 in Whittier. The San Jose 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