Dialysis Technician Salary

Irvine vs Riverside: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Irvine, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Irvine, CA
$54,906
$26.40/hr
Riverside, CA
$51,395
$24.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIrvine, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$54,906$51,395
Hourly Rate$26.40$24.71
Entry Level (P10)$40,874$41,257
25th Percentile$47,729$44,339
75th Percentile$70,280$56,749
Top Earner (P90)$85,105$70,636
Total Employed722,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Irvine ($54,906) and Riverside ($51,395) dialysis technician salaries.IrvineRiversideMedian Salary$54,906$51,395Entry Level (P10)$40,874$41,257Top Earner (P90)$85,105$70,636US Median $45,322

Verdict

Irvine, CA offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Irvine and Riverside is $3,511 (6.83%). Irvine's median is +21.15% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Irvine spans $44,231,Riverside spans $29,379. Irvine has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Irvine
P10 (Entry)$40,874
P25$47,729
Median$54,906
P75$70,280
P90 (Top)$85,105
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$41,257
P25$44,339
Median$51,395
P75$56,749
P90 (Top)$70,636

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Irvine ($48,546 effective) pays 0.54% more than Riverside ($48,285 effective).

Irvine
Nominal: $54,906
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $48,546
Riverside
Nominal: $51,395
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $48,285

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Irvine if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,906/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,105)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,546)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (2,450 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Irvine grew -26.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Irvine, CA

+-26.4%

$72,842 (2024) → $53,614 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+7.2%

$46,800 (2021) → $50,186 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Irvine or Riverside?

Irvine has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $54,906/year, compared to Riverside at $51,395/year — a difference of $3,511 (6.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Irvine and Riverside?

Irvine dialysis technicians earn $26.40/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $24.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Irvine to Riverside as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Irvine and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Irvine = $48,546, Riverside = $48,285), job availability (72 vs 2,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Irvine vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $40,874 in Irvine and $41,257 in Riverside. The Riverside area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% 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 Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov