MRI Technologist Pay

Naperville vs Peoria: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Naperville, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Naperville, IL
$106,902
$51.39/hr
Peoria, IL
$83,068
$39.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNaperville, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$106,902$83,068
Hourly Rate$51.39$39.93
Entry Level (P10)$73,452$66,053
25th Percentile$87,488$81,524
75th Percentile$117,411$100,503
Top Earner (P90)$150,713$102,698
Total Employed23120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Naperville ($106,902) and Peoria ($83,068) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.NapervillePeoriaMedian Salary$106,902$83,068Entry Level (P10)$73,452$66,053Top Earner (P90)$150,713$102,698US Median $100,283

Verdict

Naperville, IL offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Naperville and Peoria is $23,834 (28.69%). Naperville's median is +6.60% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Naperville spans $77,261,Peoria spans $36,645. Naperville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Naperville
P10 (Entry)$73,452
P25$87,488
Median$106,902
P75$117,411
P90 (Top)$150,713
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$66,053
P25$81,524
Median$83,068
P75$100,503
P90 (Top)$102,698

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Naperville ($110,095 effective) pays 20.91% more than Peoria ($91,052 effective).

Naperville
Nominal: $106,902
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $110,095
Peoria
Nominal: $83,068
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $91,052

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Naperville if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($150,713)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,095)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Naperville grew 22.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.5% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Naperville, IL

+22.3%

$83,240 (2024) → $101,782 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+18.5%

$66,760 (2019) → $79,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Naperville or Peoria?

Naperville has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $106,902/year, compared to Peoria at $83,068/year — a difference of $23,834 (28.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Naperville and Peoria?

Naperville magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $51.39/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $39.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Naperville to Peoria as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Naperville and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Naperville = $110,095, Peoria = $91,052), job availability (23 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Naperville vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $73,452 in Naperville and $66,053 in Peoria. The Naperville 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