MRI Technologist Pay

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

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

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$99,390
$47.78/hr
Richmond, KY
$88,176
$42.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYRichmond, KY
Median Salary$99,390$88,176
Hourly Rate$47.78$42.39
Entry Level (P10)$80,400$64,104
25th Percentile$84,665$74,498
75th Percentile$105,681$96,758
Top Earner (P90)$125,542$110,679
Total Employed2105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($99,390) and Richmond ($88,176) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyRichmondMedian Salary$99,390$88,176Entry Level (P10)$80,400$64,104Top Earner (P90)$125,542$110,679US 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 Richmond.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Richmond is $11,214 (12.72%). 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,Richmond spans $46,575. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$80,400
P25$84,665
Median$99,390
P75$105,681
P90 (Top)$125,542
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$64,104
P25$74,498
Median$88,176
P75$96,758
P90 (Top)$110,679

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($106,786 effective) pays 8.15% more than Richmond ($98,741 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $99,390
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $106,786
Richmond
Nominal: $88,176
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $98,741

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 Richmond 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 Richmond over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+32.3%

$71,550 (2019) → $94,630 (2025)

Richmond, KY

+32.6%

$63,308 (2024) → $83,953 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $99,390/year, compared to Richmond at $88,176/year — a difference of $11,214 (12.72%).

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

Louisville/Jefferson County magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $47.78/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $42.39/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $106,786, Richmond = $98,741), job availability (210 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $80,400 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $64,104 in Richmond. 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