MRI Technologist Pay

Louisville/Jefferson County vs Murray: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Murray, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$99,390
$47.78/hr
Murray, KY
$83,758
$40.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYMurray, KY
Median Salary$99,390$83,758
Hourly Rate$47.78$40.27
Entry Level (P10)$80,400$67,466
25th Percentile$84,665$74,987
75th Percentile$105,681$91,617
Top Earner (P90)$125,542$106,593
Total Employed2104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($99,390) and Murray ($83,758) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyMurrayMedian Salary$99,390$83,758Entry Level (P10)$80,400$67,466Top Earner (P90)$125,542$106,593US Median $100,283

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murray.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Murray is $15,632 (18.66%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -0.89% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $45,142,Murray spans $39,127. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$80,400
P25$84,665
Median$99,390
P75$105,681
P90 (Top)$125,542
Murray
P10 (Entry)$67,466
P25$74,987
Median$83,758
P75$91,617
P90 (Top)$106,593

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($106,786 effective) pays 13.85% more than Murray ($93,794 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $99,390
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $106,786
Murray
Nominal: $83,758
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $93,794

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,390/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,542)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,786)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Murray if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 32.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.6% growth in Murray over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+32.3%

$71,550 (2019) → $94,630 (2025)

Murray, KY

+32.6%

$60,136 (2024) → $79,747 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Murray?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $99,390/year, compared to Murray at $83,758/year — a difference of $15,632 (18.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Murray?

Louisville/Jefferson County magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $47.78/hr while Murray hygienists earn $40.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Murray as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Murray. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $106,786, Murray = $93,794), job availability (210 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Murray?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $80,400 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $67,466 in Murray. The Louisville/Jefferson County area offers higher starting salaries.
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