MRI Technologist Pay

Henderson vs Lexington: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Henderson, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Henderson, KY
$87,578
$42.11/hr
Lexington, KY
$84,455
$40.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHenderson, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$87,578$84,455
Hourly Rate$42.11$40.60
Entry Level (P10)$62,676$70,202
25th Percentile$76,648$84,266
75th Percentile$93,502$104,694
Top Earner (P90)$117,254$107,141
Total Employed480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Henderson ($87,578) and Lexington ($84,455) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.HendersonLexingtonMedian Salary$87,578$84,455Entry Level (P10)$62,676$70,202Top Earner (P90)$117,254$107,141US Median $100,283

Verdict

Henderson, KY offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.

The salary gap between Henderson and Lexington is $3,123 (3.70%). Henderson's median is -12.67% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Henderson spans $54,578,Lexington spans $36,939. Henderson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Henderson
P10 (Entry)$62,676
P25$76,648
Median$87,578
P75$93,502
P90 (Top)$117,254
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$70,202
P25$84,266
Median$84,455
P75$104,694
P90 (Top)$107,141

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Henderson ($98,072 effective) pays 7.87% more than Lexington ($90,920 effective).

Henderson
Nominal: $87,578
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $98,072
Lexington
Nominal: $84,455
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $90,920

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Henderson if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,578/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,254)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,072)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

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

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Henderson grew 32.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.2% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Henderson, KY

+32.6%

$62,879 (2024) → $83,384 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+23.2%

$65,290 (2019) → $80,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Henderson or Lexington?

Henderson has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $87,578/year, compared to Lexington at $84,455/year — a difference of $3,123 (3.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Henderson and Lexington?

Henderson magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $42.11/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $40.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Henderson to Lexington as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Henderson and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Henderson = $98,072, Lexington = $90,920), job availability (4 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Henderson vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $62,676 in Henderson and $70,202 in Lexington. The Lexington 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