MRI Technologist Pay

Charlotte vs Fayetteville: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Fayetteville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$95,504
$45.92/hr
Fayetteville, NC
$83,457
$40.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCFayetteville, NC
Median Salary$95,504$83,457
Hourly Rate$45.92$40.12
Entry Level (P10)$69,519$63,270
25th Percentile$83,331$83,457
75th Percentile$102,152$94,222
Top Earner (P90)$107,876$101,795
Total Employed28030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($95,504) and Fayetteville ($83,457) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.CharlotteFayettevilleMedian Salary$95,504$83,457Entry Level (P10)$69,519$63,270Top Earner (P90)$107,876$101,795US Median $100,283

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fayetteville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Fayetteville is $12,047 (14.43%). Charlotte's median is -4.77% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $38,357,Fayetteville spans $38,525. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$69,519
P25$83,331
Median$95,504
P75$102,152
P90 (Top)$107,876
Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$63,270
P25$83,457
Median$83,457
P75$94,222
P90 (Top)$101,795

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($98,106 effective) pays 8.12% more than Fayetteville ($90,736 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $95,504
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $98,106
Fayetteville
Nominal: $83,457
CoL Index: 91.978
Adjusted: $90,736

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,504/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,876)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,106)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Charlotte grew 28.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.8% growth in Fayetteville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+28.4%

$70,810 (2019) → $90,930 (2025)

Fayetteville, NC

+9.8%

$72,388 (2024) → $79,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Charlotte or Fayetteville?

Charlotte has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $95,504/year, compared to Fayetteville at $83,457/year — a difference of $12,047 (14.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Fayetteville?

Charlotte magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $45.92/hr while Fayetteville hygienists earn $40.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Fayetteville as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Fayetteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $98,106, Fayetteville = $90,736), job availability (280 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Charlotte vs Fayetteville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $69,519 in Charlotte and $63,270 in Fayetteville. The Charlotte 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