MRI Technologist Pay

Fayetteville vs North Little Rock: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Fayetteville, AR and North Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$85,200
$40.96/hr
North Little Rock, AR
$82,619
$39.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARNorth Little Rock, AR
Median Salary$85,200$82,619
Hourly Rate$40.96$39.72
Entry Level (P10)$63,512$60,927
25th Percentile$81,976$70,746
75th Percentile$101,144$94,050
Top Earner (P90)$109,515$113,255
Total Employed6015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($85,200) and North Little Rock ($82,619) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.FayettevilleNorth Little RockMedian Salary$85,200$82,619Entry Level (P10)$63,512$60,927Top Earner (P90)$109,515$113,255US Median $100,283

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Little Rock.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and North Little Rock is $2,581 (3.12%). Fayetteville's median is -15.04% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $46,003,North Little Rock spans $52,328. North Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$63,512
P25$81,976
Median$85,200
P75$101,144
P90 (Top)$109,515
North Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$60,927
P25$70,746
Median$82,619
P75$94,050
P90 (Top)$113,255

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Little Rock ($95,074 effective) pays 1.94% more than Fayetteville ($93,265 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $85,200
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $93,265
North Little Rock
Nominal: $82,619
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $95,074

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,200/year)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose North Little Rock if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,255)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,074)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Fayetteville grew 24.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 40.6% growth in North Little Rock over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+24.4%

$65,220 (2019) → $81,120 (2025)

North Little Rock, AR

+40.6%

$55,942 (2024) → $78,662 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Fayetteville or North Little Rock?

Fayetteville has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $85,200/year, compared to North Little Rock at $82,619/year — a difference of $2,581 (3.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and North Little Rock?

Fayetteville magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $40.96/hr while North Little Rock hygienists earn $39.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to North Little Rock as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and North Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $93,265, North Little Rock = $95,074), job availability (60 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Fayetteville vs North Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $63,512 in Fayetteville and $60,927 in North Little Rock. The Fayetteville 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