MRI Technologist Pay

Cincinnati vs Lima: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Lima, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$98,308
$47.26/hr
Lima, OH
$91,446
$43.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHLima, OH
Median Salary$98,308$91,446
Hourly Rate$47.26$43.97
Entry Level (P10)$78,920$71,417
25th Percentile$86,944$80,692
75th Percentile$99,453$98,342
Top Earner (P90)$107,918$114,386
Total Employed4908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($98,308) and Lima ($91,446) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.CincinnatiLimaMedian Salary$98,308$91,446Entry Level (P10)$78,920$71,417Top Earner (P90)$107,918$114,386US Median $100,283

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lima.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Lima is $6,862 (7.50%). Cincinnati's median is -1.97% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $28,998,Lima spans $42,969. Lima has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$78,920
P25$86,944
Median$98,308
P75$99,453
P90 (Top)$107,918
Lima
P10 (Entry)$71,417
P25$80,692
Median$91,446
P75$98,342
P90 (Top)$114,386

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($103,081 effective) pays 2.24% more than Lima ($100,822 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $98,308
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $103,081
Lima
Nominal: $91,446
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $100,822

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,308/year)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,081)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lima if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,386)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Cincinnati grew 35.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Lima over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+35.0%

$69,350 (2019) → $93,600 (2025)

Lima, OH

+28.4%

$67,808 (2024) → $87,067 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Cincinnati or Lima?

Cincinnati has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $98,308/year, compared to Lima at $91,446/year — a difference of $6,862 (7.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Lima?

Cincinnati magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $47.26/hr while Lima hygienists earn $43.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Lima as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Lima. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $103,081, Lima = $100,822), job availability (490 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Cincinnati vs Lima?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $78,920 in Cincinnati and $71,417 in Lima. The Cincinnati 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