MRI Technologist salary: how much does an MRI technologist make?
An MRI technologist in the US earns a median of $95,480 a year, about $45.91 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $68,890 and the top 10% earn over $127,670. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, District of Columbia, has a median of $128,710.
MRI Technologist pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does an MRI technologist make an hour?
The median MRI technologist earns $45.91 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $33.12 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61.38 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Lower 25% | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Median (typical) | $95,480 | $45.91 |
| Upper 25% | $106,340 | $51.12 |
| Top 10% | $127,670 | $61.38 |
MRI Technologist salary by state
Median annual pay for MRI technologists by state, from BLS May 2025 data.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Alaska | $120,610 | $57.99 |
| Arizona | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Arkansas | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| California | $124,000 | $59.62 |
| Colorado | $105,380 | $50.66 |
| Connecticut | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Delaware | $103,510 | $49.76 |
| District of Columbia | $128,710 | $61.88 |
| Florida | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Georgia | $92,060 | $44.26 |
| Hawaii | $119,370 | $57.39 |
| Idaho | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Illinois | $95,380 | $45.86 |
| Indiana | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Iowa | $81,420 | $39.14 |
| Kansas | $82,670 | $39.75 |
| Kentucky | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Louisiana | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| Maine | $94,140 | $45.26 |
| Maryland | $105,230 | $50.59 |
| Massachusetts | $110,600 | $53.17 |
| Michigan | $84,620 | $40.68 |
| Minnesota | $100,900 | $48.51 |
| Mississippi | $71,710 | $34.48 |
| Missouri | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Montana | $86,950 | $41.80 |
| Nebraska | $82,710 | $39.76 |
| Nevada | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| New Hampshire | $105,420 | $50.68 |
| New Jersey | $103,930 | $49.97 |
| New Mexico | $87,850 | $42.24 |
| New York | $113,270 | $54.46 |
| North Carolina | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| North Dakota | $80,610 | $38.75 |
| Ohio | $87,670 | $42.15 |
| Oklahoma | $87,480 | $42.06 |
| Oregon | $121,920 | $58.62 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,120 | $43.81 |
| Rhode Island | $105,060 | $50.51 |
| South Carolina | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| South Dakota | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Tennessee | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Texas | $96,780 | $46.53 |
| Utah | $91,150 | $43.82 |
| Vermont | $103,070 | $49.55 |
| Virginia | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Washington | $122,750 | $59.01 |
| West Virginia | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Wisconsin | $94,720 | $45.54 |
| Wyoming | $92,010 | $44.24 |
Highest-paying states for MRI technologists
- District of Columbia: $128,710 median
- California: $124,000 median
- Washington: $122,750 median
- Oregon: $121,920 median
- Alaska: $120,610 median
The lowest published medians are in Mississippi ($71,710), South Dakota ($77,010), Louisiana ($77,510), Tennessee ($78,610), Arkansas ($78,780). The most MRI technologist jobs are in California (3,570 jobs), New York (3,240 jobs), Texas (2,930 jobs), Florida (2,860 jobs), Illinois (2,760 jobs).
How much does an MRI technologist make a month?
At the median salary of $95,480, an MRI technologist earns about $7,957 a month, $3,672 every two weeks or $1,836 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced MRI technologist pay
New MRI technologists typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $68,890 a year and the lowest 25% under $81,040. The top 25% earn over $106,340 and the top 10% over $127,670. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
MRI Technologist salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| MRI technologist | $95,480 |
| Medical assistant | $45,690 |
| Surgical tech | $64,650 |
| Radiology tech | $80,110 |
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 |
MRI tech salary
An MRI tech earns a median $95,480 a year, $45.91 an hour, BLS May 2025, about $15,370 more than an x-ray tech's median.
MRI technician salary
MRI technician and MRI technologist are the same job. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $68,890 and the top 10% over $127,670; travel and night-shift roles often pay more.
MRI Technologist take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does an MRI technologist make?
The US median is $95,480 a year ($45.91 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does an MRI technologist make an hour?
The median is about $45.91 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $33.12 and the top 10% about $61.38 an hour.
Which state pays MRI technologists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median at $128,710, followed by California ($124,000) and Washington ($122,750).
How much does an MRI technologist make a month?
At the US median of $95,480 a year, about $7,957 a month or $3,672 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level MRI technologist make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $68,890 a year and the lowest 25% under $81,040, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of MRI technologists make?
The top 10% earn over $127,670 a year; the top 25% earn over $106,340.
How much does an MRI technologist make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $124,000 in California, $96,780 in Texas, $84,330 in Florida, $113,270 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 29-2035, “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.