MRI Technologist Pay

Henderson vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Henderson, KY
$87,578
$42.11/hr
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$99,390
$47.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHenderson, KYLouisville/Jefferson County, KY
Median Salary$87,578$99,390
Hourly Rate$42.11$47.78
Entry Level (P10)$62,676$80,400
25th Percentile$76,648$84,665
75th Percentile$93,502$105,681
Top Earner (P90)$117,254$125,542
Total Employed4210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Henderson ($87,578) and Louisville/Jefferson County ($99,390) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.HendersonLouisville/Jefferson CountyMedian Salary$87,578$99,390Entry Level (P10)$62,676$80,400Top Earner (P90)$117,254$125,542US Median $100,283

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Henderson.

The salary gap between Henderson and Louisville/Jefferson County is $11,812 (13.49%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -0.89% 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,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $45,142. 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
Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$80,400
P25$84,665
Median$99,390
P75$105,681
P90 (Top)$125,542

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($106,786 effective) pays 8.89% more than Henderson ($98,072 effective).

Henderson
Nominal: $87,578
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $98,072
Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $99,390
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $106,786

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Henderson if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,390/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,542)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,786)
  • 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 32.3% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.

Henderson, KY

+32.6%

$62,879 (2024) → $83,384 (2025)

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+32.3%

$71,550 (2019) → $94,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Henderson or Louisville/Jefferson County?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $99,390/year, compared to Henderson at $87,578/year — a difference of $11,812 (13.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Henderson and Louisville/Jefferson County?

Henderson magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $42.11/hr while Louisville/Jefferson County hygienists earn $47.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Henderson to Louisville/Jefferson County as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Henderson and Louisville/Jefferson County. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Henderson = $98,072, Louisville/Jefferson County = $106,786), job availability (4 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Henderson vs Louisville/Jefferson County?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $62,676 in Henderson and $80,400 in Louisville/Jefferson County. The Louisville/Jefferson County 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