MRI Technologist Pay

Augusta vs Gainesville: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Augusta, GA and Gainesville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$86,335
$41.51/hr
Gainesville, GA
$88,345
$42.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAGainesville, GA
Median Salary$86,335$88,345
Hourly Rate$41.51$42.47
Entry Level (P10)$70,874$67,188
25th Percentile$77,932$76,552
75th Percentile$98,917$98,799
Top Earner (P90)$109,011$113,934
Total Employed9011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($86,335) and Gainesville ($88,345) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.AugustaGainesvilleMedian Salary$86,335$88,345Entry Level (P10)$70,874$67,188Top Earner (P90)$109,011$113,934US Median $100,283

Verdict

Gainesville, GA offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Gainesville is $2,010 (2.33%). Gainesville's median is -11.90% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $38,137,Gainesville spans $46,746. Gainesville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$70,874
P25$77,932
Median$86,335
P75$98,917
P90 (Top)$109,011
Gainesville
P10 (Entry)$67,188
P25$76,552
Median$88,345
P75$98,799
P90 (Top)$113,934

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gainesville ($94,893 effective) pays 1.01% more than Augusta ($93,941 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $86,335
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $93,941
Gainesville
Nominal: $88,345
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $94,893

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Gainesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,345/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,934)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,893)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Augusta grew 48.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Gainesville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+48.6%

$55,300 (2019) → $82,200 (2025)

Gainesville, GA

+17.3%

$71,680 (2021) → $84,114 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Augusta or Gainesville?

Gainesville has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $88,345/year, compared to Augusta at $86,335/year — a difference of $2,010 (2.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Gainesville?

Augusta magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $41.51/hr while Gainesville hygienists earn $42.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Gainesville as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Gainesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $93,941, Gainesville = $94,893), job availability (90 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Augusta vs Gainesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $70,874 in Augusta and $67,188 in Gainesville. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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