MRI Technologist Pay

Kansas City vs St. Joseph: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Kansas City, MO and St. Joseph, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$88,267
$42.44/hr
St. Joseph, MO
$81,411
$39.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOSt. Joseph, MO
Median Salary$88,267$81,411
Hourly Rate$42.44$39.14
Entry Level (P10)$77,323$57,389
25th Percentile$85,263$67,540
75th Percentile$102,415$88,783
Top Earner (P90)$107,257$104,800
Total Employed39018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($88,267) and St. Joseph ($81,411) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Kansas CitySt. JosephMedian Salary$88,267$81,411Entry Level (P10)$77,323$57,389Top Earner (P90)$107,257$104,800US Median $100,283

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Joseph.

The salary gap between Kansas City and St. Joseph is $6,856 (8.42%). Kansas City's median is -11.98% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $29,934,St. Joseph spans $47,411. St. Joseph has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$77,323
P25$85,263
Median$88,267
P75$102,415
P90 (Top)$107,257
St. Joseph
P10 (Entry)$57,389
P25$67,540
Median$81,411
P75$88,783
P90 (Top)$104,800

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($95,379 effective) pays 4.97% more than St. Joseph ($90,860 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $88,267
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $95,379
St. Joseph
Nominal: $81,411
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $90,860

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,267/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,257)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,379)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Joseph if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Kansas City grew 18.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.6% growth in St. Joseph over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+18.8%

$70,770 (2019) → $84,040 (2025)

St. Joseph, MO

+16.6%

$66,494 (2024) → $77,512 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Kansas City or St. Joseph?

Kansas City has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $88,267/year, compared to St. Joseph at $81,411/year — a difference of $6,856 (8.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and St. Joseph?

Kansas City magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $42.44/hr while St. Joseph hygienists earn $39.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to St. Joseph as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and St. Joseph. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $95,379, St. Joseph = $90,860), job availability (390 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Kansas City vs St. Joseph?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $77,323 in Kansas City and $57,389 in St. Joseph. The Kansas City 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