Dialysis Technician Salary

Riverside vs San Mateo: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$51,395
$24.71/hr
San Mateo, CA
$53,416
$25.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CASan Mateo, CA
Median Salary$51,395$53,416
Hourly Rate$24.71$25.68
Entry Level (P10)$41,257$37,851
25th Percentile$44,339$47,828
75th Percentile$56,749$68,147
Top Earner (P90)$70,636$82,794
Total Employed2,45021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($51,395) and San Mateo ($53,416) dialysis technician salaries.RiversideSan MateoMedian Salary$51,395$53,416Entry Level (P10)$41,257$37,851Top Earner (P90)$70,636$82,794US Median $45,322

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Riverside and San Mateo is $2,021 (3.93%). San Mateo's median is +17.86% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $29,379,San Mateo spans $44,943. San Mateo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dialysis technicians.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$41,257
P25$44,339
Median$51,395
P75$56,749
P90 (Top)$70,636
San Mateo
P10 (Entry)$37,851
P25$47,828
Median$53,416
P75$68,147
P90 (Top)$82,794

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($48,285 effective) pays 2.23% more than San Mateo ($47,229 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $51,395
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $48,285
San Mateo
Nominal: $53,416
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $47,229

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (2,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,285)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Mateo if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,416/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,794)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Riverside grew 7.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -26.4% growth in San Mateo over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+7.2%

$46,800 (2021) → $50,186 (2025)

San Mateo, CA

+-26.4%

$70,866 (2024) → $52,159 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Riverside or San Mateo?

San Mateo has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $53,416/year, compared to Riverside at $51,395/year — a difference of $2,021 (3.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and San Mateo?

Riverside dialysis technicians earn $24.71/hr while San Mateo hygienists earn $25.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Riverside to San Mateo as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and San Mateo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $48,285, San Mateo = $47,229), job availability (2,450 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $41,257 in Riverside and $37,851 in San Mateo. 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