Radiologic Technologist Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Radiologic technologists in San Francisco see private hospital pay posted at about $61 to $81 an hour, and every major medical center in the City staffs X-ray. Kaiser on Geary Boulevard, UCSF Health and Chinese Hospital all employ techs. Here are the current openings, then who hires and how to get certified.
Current radiologic technologist Openings in San Francisco, CA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Radiologic Technologist Work in San Francisco
X-ray work in San Francisco follows the hospital map. Kaiser Permanente runs imaging at its 2425 Geary Boulevard hospital, UCSF Health staffs CT and mammography across Parnassus Heights, Mount Zion and Mission Bay, and Zuckerberg San Francisco General on Potrero Avenue is the City's trauma center. Chinese Hospital in Chinatown rounds out the list, hiring techs certified in both X-ray and fluoroscopy at two pay levels.
Pay here is shaped by California's pay-transparency rules, which put ranges on most postings, and by unions: Kaiser's rad techs work under an SEIU-UHW contract. Many techs live in the East Bay or down the Peninsula and commute in on BART, Caltrain or I-280, so evening and on-call shifts that skip rush hour are popular.
Top San Francisco Employers for Radiologic Technologists
These San Francisco employers hire radiologic technologists for hospital and clinic imaging:
- Kaiser Permanente - the San Francisco Medical Center on Geary Boulevard hires Radiologic Technologist I staff, including on-call evening shifts.
- UCSF Health - the academic system hires CT and mammography technologists for Parnassus, Mount Zion and Mission Bay.
- Chinese Hospital - the Chinatown hospital hires Radiology Technologist III and IV staff for X-ray and fluoroscopy.
- San Francisco Department of Public Health - the City hires Radiologic Technologist (class 2471) and lead techs for Zuckerberg San Francisco General.
Radiologic Technologist Salaries in San Francisco
- Entry level: about $50 to $67 per hour, from the City's 2471 starting step to Kaiser's on-call Radiologic Technologist I rate.
- Experienced: roughly $67 to $75 per hour for techs with fluoroscopy and a few years of hospital work.
- Senior: about $75 to $81 or more per hour at the top of private hospital scales, especially with ARRT(MR) or CT credentials.
These are estimates drawn from posted ranges. What moves pay most is the modality: CT, MRI and mammography credentials pay more than general X-ray. Shift matters too, with evening, night and on-call work often paid above day rates, and union contracts at Kaiser and the City set fixed step increases.
How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in San Francisco
California certifies X-ray techs through the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch, which issues the Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) credential. You qualify by finishing a state-approved radiologic technology school or holding current ARRT certification, and a separate fluoroscopy permit is needed to run fluoro. Hospitals here also ask for a venipuncture certificate so you can start IVs for contrast. In the City, City College of San Francisco runs a Radiologic Technology program in its Radiologic Sciences Department, and Canada College in Redwood City offers a Radiologic Technology associate degree with about 1,900 hours of clinical training.
What the Job Involves
Radiologic technologists position patients and equipment to take diagnostic X-ray images, set exposure to keep radiation as low as possible, and check each image for quality before it goes to the radiologist. Daily work includes portable films in the ICU and emergency department, assisting with fluoroscopy studies, starting IVs for contrast, keeping accurate records in the electronic chart, and following radiation safety rules for patients and staff.
Skills Employers Look For
- California CRT and fluoroscopy permit
- ARRT registration, plus CT, MR or mammography credentials for advanced roles
- Venipuncture certification for contrast studies
- BLS certification
- Calm patient handling in trauma and emergency settings
- Accurate charting in the electronic health record
Career Path and Advancement
Most San Francisco techs start in general X-ray, often on evening or on-call shifts at Kaiser or Chinese Hospital. The next step is a second modality, usually CT or MRI, which UCSF Health and Chinese Hospital post at higher pay levels. From there the ladder runs to lead technologist, such as the City's lead tech roles at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, then imaging supervisor or department manager.
Related Careers in San Francisco
If imaging interests you, these related San Francisco healthcare roles are worth a look:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be an X-ray tech in San Francisco?
Yes. California requires radiologic technologists to hold the Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) credential from the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch. Fluoroscopy needs its own permit, and San Francisco hospitals also expect ARRT registration and BLS.
How much do radiologic technologists make in San Francisco?
Posted ranges run from about $61 to $81 an hour at private hospitals such as Chinese Hospital and Kaiser, with City jobs starting lower on an annual salary. Techs with CT, MRI or mammography credentials sit at the top of those ranges.
Where can I study radiologic technology near San Francisco?
City College of San Francisco runs a Radiologic Technology program through its Radiologic Sciences Department, and Canada College in Redwood City offers a Radiologic Technology associate degree. Both include hospital clinical rotations and prepare you for the ARRT exam and California certification.
Do San Francisco hospitals require venipuncture certification?
Many do. Kaiser and Chinese Hospital list venipuncture certification as a requirement or as something to earn soon after hire, because techs start IVs for contrast studies. It is a short add-on course once you are working.
Are there night and on-call rad tech jobs in San Francisco?
Yes. Hospitals with emergency departments, including Kaiser on Geary and Zuckerberg San Francisco General, need X-ray coverage on evenings, nights and weekends. On-call and evening roles are a common way for new techs to get hired.
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