Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist salary in the U.S.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in the U.S. earn a median of $95,480 a year ($45.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 43,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,670 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $96,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| 25th percentile | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Median | $95,480 | $45.91 |
| 75th percentile | $106,340 | $51.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,670 | $61.38 |
| Average (mean) | $96,120 | $46.21 |
Half of magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,956.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,978.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,672.31 |
| Weekly | $1,836.15 |
| Hourly | $45.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $128,710 | 150 |
| California | $124,000 | 3,570 |
| Washington | $122,750 | 960 |
| Oregon | $121,920 | 510 |
| Alaska | $120,610 | 100 |
| Hawaii | $119,370 | 140 |
| New York | $113,270 | 3,240 |
| Massachusetts | $110,600 | 1,490 |
| Connecticut | $106,330 | 450 |
| New Hampshire | $105,420 | 270 |
| Colorado | $105,380 | 670 |
| Maryland | $105,230 | 770 |
| Rhode Island | $105,060 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $103,930 | 1,250 |
| Delaware | $103,510 | 170 |
| Vermont | $103,070 | 60 |
| Idaho | $101,680 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $100,900 | 710 |
| Arizona | $100,600 | 730 |
| Virginia | $98,640 | 1,070 |
| Nevada | $98,260 | 340 |
| Texas | $96,780 | 2,930 |
| Illinois | $95,380 | 2,760 |
| Wisconsin | $94,720 | 530 |
| Maine | $94,140 | 210 |
| Georgia | $92,060 | 1,800 |
| Wyoming | $92,010 | 70 |
| Utah | $91,150 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,120 | 2,250 |
| New Mexico | $87,850 | 140 |
| Ohio | $87,670 | 1,840 |
| Oklahoma | $87,480 | 400 |
| Montana | $86,950 | 150 |
| Indiana | $86,880 | 1,030 |
| North Carolina | $85,120 | 1,180 |
| Michigan | $84,620 | 1,270 |
| Florida | $84,330 | 2,860 |
| South Carolina | $83,550 | 730 |
| Missouri | $83,110 | 1,040 |
| Nebraska | $82,710 | 290 |
| Kansas | $82,670 | 330 |
| Kentucky | $82,200 | 650 |
| Iowa | $81,420 | 220 |
| North Dakota | $80,610 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $80,490 | 190 |
| Alabama | $78,890 | 490 |
| Arkansas | $78,780 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $78,610 | 1,350 |
| Louisiana | $77,510 | 510 |
| South Dakota | $77,010 | 210 |
| Mississippi | $71,710 | 250 |
| Puerto Rico | $44,810 | 100 |
Best-paying metro areas for magnetic resonance imaging technologists
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $176,950 | 220 |
| Vallejo, CA | $176,650 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $146,260 | 420 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $144,810 | 220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $130,460 | 460 |
| Modesto, CA | $126,980 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $125,660 | 30 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $123,910 | 1,160 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $123,080 | 320 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $121,930 | 80 |
| Salem, OR | $121,920 | 30 |
| Anchorage, AK | $121,660 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $120,650 | 330 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $119,370 | 110 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $119,310 | 40 |
Metro areas with the most magnetic resonance imaging technologists
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 3,020 | $118,360 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,930 | $100,730 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,290 | $109,800 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 1,160 | $123,910 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,160 | $98,620 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,010 | $100,180 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 950 | $102,490 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 820 | $102,570 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 810 | $109,110 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 800 | $91,170 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 580 | $97,940 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 560 | $86,110 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 540 | $82,690 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 490 | $93,600 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 480 | $83,330 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,930 | $30.26 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 | $46.44 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,570 | $21.91 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2035. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make in the U.S.?
The median salary for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in the U.S. is $95,480 a year, or $45.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of magnetic resonance imaging technologists in the U.S. earn at least $127,670 a year. The top 25% earn $106,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,890 a year, and a quarter of magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $81,040 or less.
How many magnetic resonance imaging technologists work in the U.S.?
About 43,390 magnetic resonance imaging technologists are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.