MRI Technologist Pay

Boulder vs Loveland: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Boulder, CO and Loveland, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$116,604
$56.05/hr
Loveland, CO
$105,671
$50.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COLoveland, CO
Median Salary$116,604$105,671
Hourly Rate$56.05$50.80
Entry Level (P10)$91,618$76,804
25th Percentile$111,048$89,320
75th Percentile$126,162$116,975
Top Earner (P90)$133,115$138,786
Total Employed6017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($116,604) and Loveland ($105,671) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.BoulderLovelandMedian Salary$116,604$105,671Entry Level (P10)$91,618$76,804Top Earner (P90)$133,115$138,786US Median $100,283

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Loveland.

The salary gap between Boulder and Loveland is $10,933 (10.35%). Boulder's median is +16.27% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $41,497,Loveland spans $61,982. Loveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$91,618
P25$111,048
Median$116,604
P75$126,162
P90 (Top)$133,115
Loveland
P10 (Entry)$76,804
P25$89,320
Median$105,671
P75$116,975
P90 (Top)$138,786

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($110,838 effective) pays 10.13% more than Loveland ($100,639 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $116,604
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $110,838
Loveland
Nominal: $105,671
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $100,639

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,604/year)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,838)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Loveland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($138,786)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Boulder grew 26.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Loveland over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+26.7%

$87,610 (2019) → $111,020 (2025)

Loveland, CO

+10.2%

$91,313 (2024) → $100,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Boulder or Loveland?

Boulder has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $116,604/year, compared to Loveland at $105,671/year — a difference of $10,933 (10.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Loveland?

Boulder magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $56.05/hr while Loveland hygienists earn $50.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Loveland as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Loveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $110,838, Loveland = $100,639), job availability (60 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Boulder vs Loveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $91,618 in Boulder and $76,804 in Loveland. The Boulder 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