Radiologist Pay

Fremont vs San Francisco: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

Fremont, CA
$514,890
$247.55/hr
San Francisco, CA
$111,300
$53.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFremont, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$514,890$111,300
Hourly Rate$247.55$53.51
Entry Level (P10)$298,636$111,300
25th Percentile$370,720$111,300
75th Percentile$625,158$141,152
Top Earner (P90)$778,237$593,208
Total Employed43160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fremont ($514,890) and San Francisco ($111,300) radiologist salaries.FremontSan FranciscoMedian Salary$514,890$111,300Entry Level (P10)$298,636$111,300Top Earner (P90)$778,237$593,208US Median $441,903

Verdict

Fremont, CA offers better overall compensation for radiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.

The salary gap between Fremont and San Francisco is $403,590 (362.61%). Fremont's median is +16.52% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fremont spans $479,601,San Francisco spans $481,908. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologists.

Fremont
P10 (Entry)$298,636
P25$370,720
Median$514,890
P75$625,158
P90 (Top)$778,237
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$111,300
P25$111,300
Median$111,300
P75$141,152
P90 (Top)$593,208

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fremont ($455,252 effective) pays 372.89% more than San Francisco ($96,269 effective).

Fremont
Nominal: $514,890
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $455,252
San Francisco
Nominal: $111,300
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $96,269

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fremont if…

  • Higher median salary ($514,890/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($778,237)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $455,252)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Fremont grew -6.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -80.8% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Fremont, CA

+-6.5%

$524,323 (2024) → $490,371 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+-80.8%

$553,294 (2024) → $106,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Fremont or San Francisco?

Fremont has a higher median radiologist salary at $514,890/year, compared to San Francisco at $111,300/year — a difference of $403,590 (362.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fremont and San Francisco?

Fremont radiologists earn $247.55/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $53.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fremont to San Francisco as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fremont and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fremont = $455,252, San Francisco = $96,269), job availability (43 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Fremont vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $298,636 in Fremont and $111,300 in San Francisco. The Fremont 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