MRI Technologist Pay

Indian Trail vs Winston: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Indian Trail, NC
$82,825
$39.82/hr
Winston, NC
$91,240
$43.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndian Trail, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$82,825$91,240
Hourly Rate$39.82$43.87
Entry Level (P10)$61,985$80,957
25th Percentile$71,027$83,457
75th Percentile$91,904$102,961
Top Earner (P90)$105,632$110,250
Total Employed8130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indian Trail ($82,825) and Winston ($91,240) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Indian TrailWinstonMedian Salary$82,825$91,240Entry Level (P10)$61,985$80,957Top Earner (P90)$105,632$110,250US Median $100,283

Verdict

Winston, NC offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Indian Trail.

The salary gap between Indian Trail and Winston is $8,415 (10.16%). Winston's median is -9.02% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indian Trail spans $43,647,Winston spans $29,293. Indian Trail has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Indian Trail
P10 (Entry)$61,985
P25$71,027
Median$82,825
P75$91,904
P90 (Top)$105,632
Winston
P10 (Entry)$80,957
P25$83,457
Median$91,240
P75$102,961
P90 (Top)$110,250

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($99,128 effective) pays 12.02% more than Indian Trail ($88,488 effective).

Indian Trail
Nominal: $82,825
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $88,488
Winston
Nominal: $91,240
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $99,128

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indian Trail if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,240/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,250)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,128)
  • 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 Indian Trail grew 17.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.4% growth in Winston over the same period.

Indian Trail, NC

+17.2%

$67,310 (2024) → $78,858 (2025)

Winston, NC

+18.4%

$73,400 (2019) → $86,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Indian Trail or Winston?

Winston has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $91,240/year, compared to Indian Trail at $82,825/year — a difference of $8,415 (10.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indian Trail and Winston?

Indian Trail magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $39.82/hr while Winston hygienists earn $43.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indian Trail to Winston as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indian Trail and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indian Trail = $88,488, Winston = $99,128), job availability (8 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Indian Trail vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $61,985 in Indian Trail and $80,957 in Winston. The Winston 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