MRI Technologist Pay

Birmingham vs Homewood: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Homewood, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$88,530
$42.56/hr
Homewood, AL
$85,166
$40.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALHomewood, AL
Median Salary$88,530$85,166
Hourly Rate$42.56$40.94
Entry Level (P10)$68,427$66,534
25th Percentile$75,086$75,167
75th Percentile$90,714$94,792
Top Earner (P90)$106,900$111,791
Total Employed1505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($88,530) and Homewood ($85,166) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.BirminghamHomewoodMedian Salary$88,530$85,166Entry Level (P10)$68,427$66,534Top Earner (P90)$106,900$111,791US Median $100,283

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Homewood.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Homewood is $3,364 (3.95%). Birmingham's median is -11.72% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $38,473,Homewood spans $45,257. Homewood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$68,427
P25$75,086
Median$88,530
P75$90,714
P90 (Top)$106,900
Homewood
P10 (Entry)$66,534
P25$75,167
Median$85,166
P75$94,792
P90 (Top)$111,791

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Homewood ($96,890 effective) pays 0.30% more than Birmingham ($96,602 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $88,530
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $96,602
Homewood
Nominal: $85,166
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $96,890

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,530/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Homewood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($111,791)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,890)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Birmingham grew 34.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 40.4% growth in Homewood over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+34.6%

$62,620 (2019) → $84,290 (2025)

Homewood, AL

+40.4%

$57,749 (2024) → $81,087 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Birmingham or Homewood?

Birmingham has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $88,530/year, compared to Homewood at $85,166/year — a difference of $3,364 (3.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Homewood?

Birmingham magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $42.56/hr while Homewood hygienists earn $40.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Homewood as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Homewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $96,602, Homewood = $96,890), job availability (150 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Birmingham vs Homewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $68,427 in Birmingham and $66,534 in Homewood. The Birmingham 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