MRI Technologist Pay

Atlantic City vs Lakewood: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Lakewood, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$105,471
$50.71/hr
Lakewood, NJ
$114,622
$55.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJLakewood, NJ
Median Salary$105,471$114,622
Hourly Rate$50.71$55.11
Entry Level (P10)$85,221$82,813
25th Percentile$94,128$96,791
75th Percentile$109,116$131,380
Top Earner (P90)$111,426$159,595
Total Employed6031
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($105,471) and Lakewood ($114,622) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Atlantic CityLakewoodMedian Salary$105,471$114,622Entry Level (P10)$85,221$82,813Top Earner (P90)$111,426$159,595US Median $100,283

Verdict

Lakewood, NJ offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Lakewood is $9,151 (8.68%). Lakewood's median is +14.30% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $26,205,Lakewood spans $76,782. Lakewood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$85,221
P25$94,128
Median$105,471
P75$109,116
P90 (Top)$111,426
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$82,813
P25$96,791
Median$114,622
P75$131,380
P90 (Top)$159,595

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($106,690 effective) pays 7.23% more than Lakewood ($99,498 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $105,471
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $106,690
Lakewood
Nominal: $114,622
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $99,498

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,690)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • Higher median salary ($114,622/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($159,595)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Atlantic City grew 32.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+32.2%

$75,980 (2019) → $100,420 (2025)

Lakewood, NJ

+1.6%

$107,442 (2024) → $109,133 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Atlantic City or Lakewood?

Lakewood has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $114,622/year, compared to Atlantic City at $105,471/year — a difference of $9,151 (8.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Lakewood?

Atlantic City magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $50.71/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $55.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Lakewood as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $106,690, Lakewood = $99,498), job availability (60 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Atlantic City vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $85,221 in Atlantic City and $82,813 in Lakewood. The Atlantic City area offers higher starting salaries.
CT

Written by Carmen Torres, R.T. (R)(MR)

Career Analyst

Carmen has 10 years of experience as an MRI technologist. She specializes in pediatric imaging at a regional hospital. Carmen contributes to various industry publications.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Patel, R.T. (R)(MR)Data verified by Li Chen, MS, R.T. (R)(MR)

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.03% 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 Carmen Torres, R.T. (R)(MR), a licensed magnetic resonance imaging technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov