Dialysis Technician Salary

San Francisco vs Union City: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$64,310
$30.92/hr
Union City, CA
$52,974
$25.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAUnion City, CA
Median Salary$64,310$52,974
Hourly Rate$30.92$25.47
Entry Level (P10)$48,647$39,339
25th Percentile$55,488$47,492
75th Percentile$79,964$66,464
Top Earner (P90)$98,827$82,109
Total Employed3,07011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($64,310) and Union City ($52,974) dialysis technician salaries.San FranciscoUnion CityMedian Salary$64,310$52,974Entry Level (P10)$48,647$39,339Top Earner (P90)$98,827$82,109US Median $45,322

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Union City.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Union City is $11,336 (21.40%). San Francisco's median is +41.90% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $50,180,Union City spans $42,770. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$48,647
P25$55,488
Median$64,310
P75$79,964
P90 (Top)$98,827
Union City
P10 (Entry)$39,339
P25$47,492
Median$52,974
P75$66,464
P90 (Top)$82,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($55,625 effective) pays 18.76% more than Union City ($46,838 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $64,310
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $55,625
Union City
Nominal: $52,974
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $46,838

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,310/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,827)
  • Larger job market (3,070 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,625)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Union City if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in San Francisco grew 4.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -26.4% growth in Union City over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+4.6%

$60,020 (2021) → $62,797 (2025)

Union City, CA

+-26.4%

$70,279 (2024) → $51,727 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: San Francisco or Union City?

San Francisco has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $64,310/year, compared to Union City at $52,974/year — a difference of $11,336 (21.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Union City?

San Francisco dialysis technicians earn $30.92/hr while Union City hygienists earn $25.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Union City as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Union City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $55,625, Union City = $46,838), job availability (3,070 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in San Francisco vs Union City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $48,647 in San Francisco and $39,339 in Union City. The San Francisco 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