MRI Technologist Pay

Conway vs Little Rock: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Conway, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Conway, AR
$82,075
$39.46/hr
Little Rock, AR
$83,856
$40.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConway, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$82,075$83,856
Hourly Rate$39.46$40.32
Entry Level (P10)$60,011$64,951
25th Percentile$69,642$74,277
75th Percentile$91,122$95,483
Top Earner (P90)$108,242$102,478
Total Employed14150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conway ($82,075) and Little Rock ($83,856) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.ConwayLittle RockMedian Salary$82,075$83,856Entry Level (P10)$60,011$64,951Top Earner (P90)$108,242$102,478US Median $100,283

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Conway and Little Rock is $1,781 (2.17%). Little Rock's median is -16.38% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conway spans $48,231,Little Rock spans $37,527. Conway has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Conway
P10 (Entry)$60,011
P25$69,642
Median$82,075
P75$91,122
P90 (Top)$108,242
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$64,951
P25$74,277
Median$83,856
P75$95,483
P90 (Top)$102,478

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conway ($94,448 effective) pays 0.65% more than Little Rock ($93,836 effective).

Conway
Nominal: $82,075
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $94,448
Little Rock
Nominal: $83,856
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $93,836

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conway if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,242)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,448)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,856/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Conway grew 40.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.0% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Conway, AR

+40.6%

$55,574 (2024) → $78,144 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+32.0%

$60,470 (2019) → $79,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Conway or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $83,856/year, compared to Conway at $82,075/year — a difference of $1,781 (2.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conway and Little Rock?

Conway magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $39.46/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $40.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conway to Little Rock as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conway and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conway = $94,448, Little Rock = $93,836), job availability (14 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Conway vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $60,011 in Conway and $64,951 in Little Rock. The Little Rock 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