MRI Technologist Pay

Charleston vs Rock Hill: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Charleston, SC and Rock Hill, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$89,559
$43.06/hr
Rock Hill, SC
$91,390
$43.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCRock Hill, SC
Median Salary$89,559$91,390
Hourly Rate$43.06$43.93
Entry Level (P10)$69,299$63,125
25th Percentile$81,083$78,538
75th Percentile$98,592$104,316
Top Earner (P90)$98,592$125,747
Total Employed17011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($89,559) and Rock Hill ($91,390) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.CharlestonRock HillMedian Salary$89,559$91,390Entry Level (P10)$69,299$63,125Top Earner (P90)$98,592$125,747US Median $100,283

Verdict

Rock Hill, SC offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Charleston.

The salary gap between Charleston and Rock Hill is $1,831 (2.04%). Rock Hill's median is -8.87% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $29,293,Rock Hill spans $62,622. Rock Hill has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$69,299
P25$81,083
Median$89,559
P75$98,592
P90 (Top)$98,592
Rock Hill
P10 (Entry)$63,125
P25$78,538
Median$91,390
P75$104,316
P90 (Top)$125,747

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rock Hill ($99,880 effective) pays 12.60% more than Charleston ($88,706 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $89,559
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $88,706
Rock Hill
Nominal: $91,390
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $99,880

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Rock Hill if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,390/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,747)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,880)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Charleston grew 28.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.6% growth in Rock Hill over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+28.0%

$66,610 (2019) → $85,270 (2025)

Rock Hill, SC

+32.6%

$65,615 (2024) → $87,013 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Charleston or Rock Hill?

Rock Hill has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $91,390/year, compared to Charleston at $89,559/year — a difference of $1,831 (2.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Rock Hill?

Charleston magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $43.06/hr while Rock Hill hygienists earn $43.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Rock Hill as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Rock Hill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $88,706, Rock Hill = $99,880), job availability (170 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Charleston vs Rock Hill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $69,299 in Charleston and $63,125 in Rock Hill. The Charleston 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