MRI Technologist Pay

Houston vs Stephenville: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$107,729
$51.79/hr
Stephenville, TX
$88,523
$42.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXStephenville, TX
Median Salary$107,729$88,523
Hourly Rate$51.79$42.56
Entry Level (P10)$84,623$71,221
25th Percentile$96,071$79,193
75th Percentile$113,506$93,500
Top Earner (P90)$119,986$107,279
Total Employed8206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($107,729) and Stephenville ($88,523) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.HoustonStephenvilleMedian Salary$107,729$88,523Entry Level (P10)$84,623$71,221Top Earner (P90)$119,986$107,279US Median $100,283

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Stephenville is $19,206 (21.70%). 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,Stephenville spans $36,058. Stephenville 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
Stephenville
P10 (Entry)$71,221
P25$79,193
Median$88,523
P75$93,500
P90 (Top)$107,279

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($109,226 effective) pays 18.45% more than Stephenville ($92,211 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $107,729
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $109,226
Stephenville
Nominal: $88,523
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $92,211

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,986)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,226)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Stephenville if…

  • 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 14.5% growth in Stephenville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+36.6%

$75,070 (2020) → $102,570 (2025)

Stephenville, TX

+14.5%

$73,585 (2024) → $84,284 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Houston has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $107,729/year, compared to Stephenville at $88,523/year — a difference of $19,206 (21.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Stephenville?

Houston magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $51.79/hr while Stephenville hygienists earn $42.56/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Stephenville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $109,226, Stephenville = $92,211), job availability (820 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $84,623 in Houston and $71,221 in Stephenville. 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