MRI Technologist Pay

Duluth vs St. Paul: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Duluth, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$101,858
$48.98/hr
St. Paul, MN
$108,468
$52.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$101,858$108,468
Hourly Rate$48.98$52.15
Entry Level (P10)$83,457$76,961
25th Percentile$85,326$91,242
75th Percentile$106,574$120,486
Top Earner (P90)$109,578$157,199
Total Employed4080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($101,858) and St. Paul ($108,468) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.DuluthSt. PaulMedian Salary$101,858$108,468Entry Level (P10)$83,457$76,961Top Earner (P90)$109,578$157,199US Median $100,283

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and St. Paul is $6,610 (6.49%). St. Paul's median is +8.16% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $26,121,St. Paul spans $80,238. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$83,457
P25$85,326
Median$101,858
P75$106,574
P90 (Top)$109,578
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$76,961
P25$91,242
Median$108,468
P75$120,486
P90 (Top)$157,199

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($114,746 effective) pays 4.20% more than St. Paul ($110,120 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $101,858
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $114,746
St. Paul
Nominal: $108,468
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $110,120

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,746)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,468/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($157,199)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Duluth grew 24.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 14.6% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+24.9%

$77,630 (2021) → $96,980 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+14.6%

$90,100 (2024) → $103,273 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Duluth or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $108,468/year, compared to Duluth at $101,858/year — a difference of $6,610 (6.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and St. Paul?

Duluth magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $48.98/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $52.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to St. Paul as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $114,746, St. Paul = $110,120), job availability (40 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Duluth vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $83,457 in Duluth and $76,961 in St. Paul. The Duluth 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