MRI Technologist Pay

Daytona Beach vs Tampa: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Daytona Beach, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Daytona Beach, FL
$83,952
$40.36/hr
Tampa, FL
$86,849
$41.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDaytona Beach, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$83,952$86,849
Hourly Rate$40.36$41.75
Entry Level (P10)$61,856$52,631
25th Percentile$71,654$79,770
75th Percentile$95,366$102,898
Top Earner (P90)$114,424$108,811
Total Employed14540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Daytona Beach ($83,952) and Tampa ($86,849) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Daytona BeachTampaMedian Salary$83,952$86,849Entry Level (P10)$61,856$52,631Top Earner (P90)$114,424$108,811US Median $100,283

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Daytona Beach.

The salary gap between Daytona Beach and Tampa is $2,897 (3.45%). Tampa's median is -13.40% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Daytona Beach spans $52,568,Tampa spans $56,180. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Daytona Beach
P10 (Entry)$61,856
P25$71,654
Median$83,952
P75$95,366
P90 (Top)$114,424
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$52,631
P25$79,770
Median$86,849
P75$102,898
P90 (Top)$108,811

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($86,083 effective) pays 3.36% more than Daytona Beach ($83,286 effective).

Daytona Beach
Nominal: $83,952
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $83,286
Tampa
Nominal: $86,849
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $86,083

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Daytona Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,424)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,849/year)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,083)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Daytona Beach grew 10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.7% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Daytona Beach, FL

+10.1%

$72,585 (2024) → $79,931 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+25.7%

$65,770 (2019) → $82,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Daytona Beach or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $86,849/year, compared to Daytona Beach at $83,952/year — a difference of $2,897 (3.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Daytona Beach and Tampa?

Daytona Beach magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $40.36/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $41.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Daytona Beach to Tampa as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Daytona Beach and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Daytona Beach = $83,286, Tampa = $86,083), job availability (14 vs 540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Daytona Beach vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $61,856 in Daytona Beach and $52,631 in Tampa. The Daytona Beach 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