MRI Technologist Pay

Flint vs Waterford: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Flint, MI and Waterford, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Flint, MI
$82,753
$39.79/hr
Waterford, MI
$91,207
$43.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlint, MIWaterford, MI
Median Salary$82,753$91,207
Hourly Rate$39.79$43.85
Entry Level (P10)$48,398$67,704
25th Percentile$81,839$78,153
75th Percentile$84,738$101,883
Top Earner (P90)$91,397$121,789
Total Employed5016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Flint ($82,753) and Waterford ($91,207) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.FlintWaterfordMedian Salary$82,753$91,207Entry Level (P10)$48,398$67,704Top Earner (P90)$91,397$121,789US Median $100,283

Verdict

Waterford, MI offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Flint.

The salary gap between Flint and Waterford is $8,454 (10.22%). Waterford's median is -9.05% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Flint spans $42,999,Waterford spans $54,085. Waterford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Flint
P10 (Entry)$48,398
P25$81,839
Median$82,753
P75$84,738
P90 (Top)$91,397
Waterford
P10 (Entry)$67,704
P25$78,153
Median$91,207
P75$101,883
P90 (Top)$121,789

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waterford ($97,862 effective) pays 10.02% more than Flint ($88,949 effective).

Flint
Nominal: $82,753
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $88,949
Waterford
Nominal: $91,207
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $97,862

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Flint if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Waterford if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,207/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,789)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,862)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Flint grew 61.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Waterford over the same period.

Flint, MI

+61.1%

$48,920 (2021) → $78,790 (2025)

Waterford, MI

+22.4%

$70,941 (2024) → $86,839 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Flint or Waterford?

Waterford has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $91,207/year, compared to Flint at $82,753/year — a difference of $8,454 (10.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Flint and Waterford?

Flint magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $39.79/hr while Waterford hygienists earn $43.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Flint to Waterford as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Flint and Waterford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Flint = $88,949, Waterford = $97,862), job availability (50 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Flint vs Waterford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $48,398 in Flint and $67,704 in Waterford. The Waterford 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