MRI Technologist Pay

Burlington vs Davenport: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Burlington, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, IA
$87,047
$41.85/hr
Davenport, IA
$82,291
$39.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$87,047$82,291
Hourly Rate$41.85$39.56
Entry Level (P10)$66,251$67,167
25th Percentile$75,398$80,369
75th Percentile$94,678$86,408
Top Earner (P90)$109,914$94,622
Total Employed430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($87,047) and Davenport ($82,291) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.BurlingtonDavenportMedian Salary$87,047$82,291Entry Level (P10)$66,251$67,167Top Earner (P90)$109,914$94,622US Median $100,283

Verdict

Burlington, IA offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.

The salary gap between Burlington and Davenport is $4,756 (5.78%). Burlington's median is -13.20% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $43,663,Davenport spans $27,455. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$66,251
P25$75,398
Median$87,047
P75$94,678
P90 (Top)$109,914
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$67,167
P25$80,369
Median$82,291
P75$86,408
P90 (Top)$94,622

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($96,291 effective) pays 4.23% more than Davenport ($92,380 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $87,047
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $96,291
Davenport
Nominal: $82,291
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $92,380

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,047/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,914)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,291)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Larger job market (30 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Burlington grew 29.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.7% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Burlington, IA

+29.0%

$64,233 (2024) → $82,878 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+7.7%

$72,780 (2019) → $78,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Burlington or Davenport?

Burlington has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $87,047/year, compared to Davenport at $82,291/year — a difference of $4,756 (5.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Davenport?

Burlington magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $41.85/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $39.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Davenport as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $96,291, Davenport = $92,380), job availability (4 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Burlington vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $66,251 in Burlington and $67,167 in Davenport. The Davenport 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