MRI Technologist Pay

Houston vs Round Rock: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Houston, TX and Round Rock, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$107,729
$51.79/hr
Round Rock, TX
$98,879
$47.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXRound Rock, TX
Median Salary$107,729$98,879
Hourly Rate$51.79$47.54
Entry Level (P10)$84,623$67,406
25th Percentile$96,071$80,518
75th Percentile$113,506$114,141
Top Earner (P90)$119,986$138,644
Total Employed82026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($107,729) and Round Rock ($98,879) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.HoustonRound RockMedian Salary$107,729$98,879Entry Level (P10)$84,623$67,406Top Earner (P90)$119,986$138,644US Median $100,283

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Round Rock.

The salary gap between Houston and Round Rock is $8,850 (8.95%). Houston's median is +7.42% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $35,363,Round Rock spans $71,238. Round Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$84,623
P25$96,071
Median$107,729
P75$113,506
P90 (Top)$119,986
Round Rock
P10 (Entry)$67,406
P25$80,518
Median$98,879
P75$114,141
P90 (Top)$138,644

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($109,226 effective) pays 6.05% more than Round Rock ($102,999 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $107,729
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $109,226
Round Rock
Nominal: $98,879
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $102,999

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,729/year)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,226)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Round Rock if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($138,644)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Houston grew 36.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 17.6% growth in Round Rock over the same period.

Houston, TX

+36.6%

$75,070 (2020) → $102,570 (2025)

Round Rock, TX

+17.6%

$80,064 (2024) → $94,144 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Houston or Round Rock?

Houston has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $107,729/year, compared to Round Rock at $98,879/year — a difference of $8,850 (8.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Round Rock?

Houston magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $51.79/hr while Round Rock hygienists earn $47.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Round Rock as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Round Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $109,226, Round Rock = $102,999), job availability (820 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Houston vs Round Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $84,623 in Houston and $67,406 in Round Rock. The Houston 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