Dialysis Technician Salary

San Francisco vs Visalia: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$64,310
$30.92/hr
Visalia, CA
$47,539
$22.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVisalia, CA
Median Salary$64,310$47,539
Hourly Rate$30.92$22.86
Entry Level (P10)$48,647$40,680
25th Percentile$55,488$42,537
75th Percentile$79,964$56,795
Top Earner (P90)$98,827$72,322
Total Employed3,070200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($64,310) and Visalia ($47,539) dialysis technician salaries.San FranciscoVisaliaMedian Salary$64,310$47,539Entry Level (P10)$48,647$40,680Top Earner (P90)$98,827$72,322US Median $45,322

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Visalia is $16,771 (35.28%). 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,Visalia spans $31,642. 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
Visalia
P10 (Entry)$40,680
P25$42,537
Median$47,539
P75$56,795
P90 (Top)$72,322

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($55,625 effective) pays 16.80% more than Visalia ($47,622 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $64,310
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $55,625
Visalia
Nominal: $47,539
CoL Index: 99.825
Adjusted: $47,622

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 Visalia 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 25.6% growth in Visalia over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+4.6%

$60,020 (2021) → $62,797 (2025)

Visalia, CA

+25.6%

$36,970 (2021) → $46,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: San Francisco or Visalia?

San Francisco has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $64,310/year, compared to Visalia at $47,539/year — a difference of $16,771 (35.28%).

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

San Francisco dialysis technicians earn $30.92/hr while Visalia hygienists earn $22.86/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Visalia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $55,625, Visalia = $47,622), job availability (3,070 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $48,647 in San Francisco and $40,680 in Visalia. 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