MRI Technologist Pay

Fort Wayne vs Merrillville: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Merrillville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$87,479
$42.05/hr
Merrillville, IN
$87,678
$42.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INMerrillville, IN
Median Salary$87,479$87,678
Hourly Rate$42.05$42.15
Entry Level (P10)$67,534$64,922
25th Percentile$84,738$74,675
75th Percentile$102,562$96,925
Top Earner (P90)$103,654$113,890
Total Employed808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($87,479) and Merrillville ($87,678) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Fort WayneMerrillvilleMedian Salary$87,479$87,678Entry Level (P10)$67,534$64,922Top Earner (P90)$103,654$113,890US Median $100,283

Verdict

Merrillville, IN offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Wayne.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Merrillville is $199 (0.23%). Merrillville's median is -12.57% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $36,120,Merrillville spans $48,968. Merrillville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$67,534
P25$84,738
Median$87,479
P75$102,562
P90 (Top)$103,654
Merrillville
P10 (Entry)$64,922
P25$74,675
Median$87,678
P75$96,925
P90 (Top)$113,890

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Merrillville ($96,033 effective) pays 1.62% more than Fort Wayne ($94,498 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $87,479
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $94,498
Merrillville
Nominal: $87,678
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $96,033

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Merrillville if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,678/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,890)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,033)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 21.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in Merrillville over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+21.6%

$68,490 (2019) → $83,290 (2025)

Merrillville, IN

+28.8%

$64,809 (2024) → $83,479 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Fort Wayne or Merrillville?

Merrillville has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $87,678/year, compared to Fort Wayne at $87,479/year — a difference of $199 (0.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Merrillville?

Fort Wayne magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $42.05/hr while Merrillville hygienists earn $42.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Merrillville as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Merrillville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $94,498, Merrillville = $96,033), job availability (80 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Fort Wayne vs Merrillville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $67,534 in Fort Wayne and $64,922 in Merrillville. The Fort Wayne 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