MRI Technologist Pay

Columbus vs Upper Arlington: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$95,084
$45.71/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$88,099
$42.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$95,084$88,099
Hourly Rate$45.71$42.36
Entry Level (P10)$80,400$66,060
25th Percentile$85,589$75,713
75th Percentile$106,984$97,981
Top Earner (P90)$108,475$112,400
Total Employed3809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($95,084) and Upper Arlington ($88,099) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.ColumbusUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$95,084$88,099Entry Level (P10)$80,400$66,060Top Earner (P90)$108,475$112,400US Median $100,283

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Upper Arlington is $6,985 (7.93%). Columbus's median is -5.18% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $28,075,Upper Arlington spans $46,340. Upper Arlington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$80,400
P25$85,589
Median$95,084
P75$106,984
P90 (Top)$108,475
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$66,060
P25$75,713
Median$88,099
P75$97,981
P90 (Top)$112,400

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($99,597 effective) pays 2.54% more than Upper Arlington ($97,132 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $95,084
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $99,597
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $88,099
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $97,132

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,084/year)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,597)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,400)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Columbus grew 30.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Upper Arlington over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+30.0%

$69,650 (2019) → $90,530 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+28.4%

$65,326 (2024) → $83,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Columbus or Upper Arlington?

Columbus has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $95,084/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $88,099/year — a difference of $6,985 (7.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Upper Arlington?

Columbus magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $45.71/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $42.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Upper Arlington as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $99,597, Upper Arlington = $97,132), job availability (380 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Columbus vs Upper Arlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $80,400 in Columbus and $66,060 in Upper Arlington. The Columbus 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