MRI Technologist Pay

Crystal Lake vs Peoria: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Crystal Lake, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Crystal Lake, IL
$85,074
$40.90/hr
Peoria, IL
$83,068
$39.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCrystal Lake, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$85,074$83,068
Hourly Rate$40.90$39.93
Entry Level (P10)$64,543$66,053
25th Percentile$73,602$81,524
75th Percentile$95,028$100,503
Top Earner (P90)$112,542$102,698
Total Employed9120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Crystal Lake ($85,074) and Peoria ($83,068) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Crystal LakePeoriaMedian Salary$85,074$83,068Entry Level (P10)$64,543$66,053Top Earner (P90)$112,542$102,698US Median $100,283

Verdict

Crystal Lake, IL offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Crystal Lake and Peoria is $2,006 (2.41%). Crystal Lake's median is -15.17% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Crystal Lake spans $47,999,Peoria spans $36,645. Crystal Lake has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Crystal Lake
P10 (Entry)$64,543
P25$73,602
Median$85,074
P75$95,028
P90 (Top)$112,542
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$66,053
P25$81,524
Median$83,068
P75$100,503
P90 (Top)$102,698

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($91,052 effective) pays 3.92% more than Crystal Lake ($87,615 effective).

Crystal Lake
Nominal: $85,074
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $87,615
Peoria
Nominal: $83,068
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $91,052

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Crystal Lake if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,074/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,542)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,052)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Crystal Lake grew 4.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.5% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Crystal Lake, IL

+4.3%

$77,671 (2024) → $81,000 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+18.5%

$66,760 (2019) → $79,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Crystal Lake or Peoria?

Crystal Lake has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $85,074/year, compared to Peoria at $83,068/year — a difference of $2,006 (2.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Crystal Lake and Peoria?

Crystal Lake magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $40.90/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $39.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Crystal Lake to Peoria as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Crystal Lake and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Crystal Lake = $87,615, Peoria = $91,052), job availability (9 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Crystal Lake vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $64,543 in Crystal Lake and $66,053 in Peoria. The Peoria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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