MRI Technologist Pay

Huntersville vs Raleigh: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Huntersville, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntersville, NC
$88,470
$42.54/hr
Raleigh, NC
$87,206
$41.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntersville, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$88,470$87,206
Hourly Rate$42.54$41.93
Entry Level (P10)$60,995$52,074
25th Percentile$77,609$75,979
75th Percentile$97,255$95,934
Top Earner (P90)$115,515$102,656
Total Employed11130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntersville ($88,470) and Raleigh ($87,206) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.HuntersvilleRaleighMedian Salary$88,470$87,206Entry Level (P10)$60,995$52,074Top Earner (P90)$115,515$102,656US Median $100,283

Verdict

Huntersville, NC offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Raleigh.

The salary gap between Huntersville and Raleigh is $1,264 (1.45%). Huntersville's median is -11.78% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntersville spans $54,520,Raleigh spans $50,582. Huntersville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntersville
P10 (Entry)$60,995
P25$77,609
Median$88,470
P75$97,255
P90 (Top)$115,515
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$52,074
P25$75,979
Median$87,206
P75$95,934
P90 (Top)$102,656

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntersville ($94,519 effective) pays 6.39% more than Raleigh ($88,843 effective).

Huntersville
Nominal: $88,470
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $94,519
Raleigh
Nominal: $87,206
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $88,843

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntersville if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,470/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,515)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,519)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Huntersville grew 17.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.8% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Huntersville, NC

+17.2%

$71,898 (2024) → $84,233 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+22.8%

$67,610 (2019) → $83,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Huntersville or Raleigh?

Huntersville has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $88,470/year, compared to Raleigh at $87,206/year — a difference of $1,264 (1.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntersville and Raleigh?

Huntersville magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $42.54/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $41.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntersville to Raleigh as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntersville and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntersville = $94,519, Raleigh = $88,843), job availability (11 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Huntersville vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $60,995 in Huntersville and $52,074 in Raleigh. The Huntersville 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