MRI Technologist Pay

Davenport vs Iowa City: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Davenport, IA and Iowa City, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$82,291
$39.56/hr
Iowa City, IA
$90,291
$43.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAIowa City, IA
Median Salary$82,291$90,291
Hourly Rate$39.56$43.41
Entry Level (P10)$67,167$62,367
25th Percentile$80,369$74,152
75th Percentile$86,408$99,621
Top Earner (P90)$94,622$118,500
Total Employed3014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($82,291) and Iowa City ($90,291) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.DavenportIowa CityMedian Salary$82,291$90,291Entry Level (P10)$67,167$62,367Top Earner (P90)$94,622$118,500US Median $100,283

Verdict

Iowa City, IA offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.

The salary gap between Davenport and Iowa City is $8,000 (9.72%). Iowa City's median is -9.96% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $27,455,Iowa City spans $56,133. Iowa City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$67,167
P25$80,369
Median$82,291
P75$86,408
P90 (Top)$94,622
Iowa City
P10 (Entry)$62,367
P25$74,152
Median$90,291
P75$99,621
P90 (Top)$118,500

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Iowa City ($99,879 effective) pays 8.12% more than Davenport ($92,380 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $82,291
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $92,380
Iowa City
Nominal: $90,291
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $99,879

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Larger job market (30 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Iowa City if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,291/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,500)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,879)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Davenport grew 7.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 29.0% growth in Iowa City over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+7.7%

$72,780 (2019) → $78,350 (2025)

Iowa City, IA

+29.0%

$66,627 (2024) → $85,967 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Davenport or Iowa City?

Iowa City has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $90,291/year, compared to Davenport at $82,291/year — a difference of $8,000 (9.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Iowa City?

Davenport magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $39.56/hr while Iowa City hygienists earn $43.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Iowa City as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Iowa City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $92,380, Iowa City = $99,879), job availability (30 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Davenport vs Iowa City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $67,167 in Davenport and $62,367 in Iowa City. The Davenport 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