MRI Technologist Pay

Dallas vs San Marcos: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Dallas, TX and San Marcos, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$107,645
$51.75/hr
San Marcos, TX
$100,482
$48.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXSan Marcos, TX
Median Salary$107,645$100,482
Hourly Rate$51.75$48.31
Entry Level (P10)$84,843$72,184
25th Percentile$97,258$84,606
75th Percentile$118,726$110,749
Top Earner (P90)$124,061$131,681
Total Employed95013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($107,645) and San Marcos ($100,482) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.DallasSan MarcosMedian Salary$107,645$100,482Entry Level (P10)$84,843$72,184Top Earner (P90)$124,061$131,681US Median $100,283

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Marcos.

The salary gap between Dallas and San Marcos is $7,163 (7.13%). Dallas's median is +7.34% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $39,218,San Marcos spans $59,497. San Marcos has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$84,843
P25$97,258
Median$107,645
P75$118,726
P90 (Top)$124,061
San Marcos
P10 (Entry)$72,184
P25$84,606
Median$100,482
P75$110,749
P90 (Top)$131,681

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Marcos ($104,669 effective) pays 0.24% more than Dallas ($104,418 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $107,645
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $104,418
San Marcos
Nominal: $100,482
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $104,669

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,645/year)
  • Larger job market (950 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Marcos if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,681)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,669)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Dallas grew 36.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in San Marcos over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+36.7%

$74,970 (2019) → $102,490 (2025)

San Marcos, TX

+20.0%

$79,750 (2024) → $95,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Dallas or San Marcos?

Dallas has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $107,645/year, compared to San Marcos at $100,482/year — a difference of $7,163 (7.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and San Marcos?

Dallas magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $51.75/hr while San Marcos hygienists earn $48.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to San Marcos as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and San Marcos. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $104,418, San Marcos = $104,669), job availability (950 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Dallas vs San Marcos?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $84,843 in Dallas and $72,184 in San Marcos. The Dallas 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