MRI Technologist Pay

San Diego vs Yucaipa: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between San Diego, CA and Yucaipa, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Diego, CA
$129,271
$62.15/hr
Yucaipa, CA
$128,332
$61.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CAYucaipa, CA
Median Salary$129,271$128,332
Hourly Rate$62.15$61.69
Entry Level (P10)$78,247$88,495
25th Percentile$96,985$112,589
75th Percentile$149,804$145,978
Top Earner (P90)$160,853$175,735
Total Employed32014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($129,271) and Yucaipa ($128,332) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.San DiegoYucaipaMedian Salary$129,271$128,332Entry Level (P10)$78,247$88,495Top Earner (P90)$160,853$175,735US Median $100,283

Verdict

San Diego, CA offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Yucaipa.

The salary gap between San Diego and Yucaipa is $939 (0.73%). San Diego's median is +28.91% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Diego spans $82,606,Yucaipa spans $87,240. Yucaipa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

San Diego
P10 (Entry)$78,247
P25$96,985
Median$129,271
P75$149,804
P90 (Top)$160,853
Yucaipa
P10 (Entry)$88,495
P25$112,589
Median$128,332
P75$145,978
P90 (Top)$175,735

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($115,537 effective) pays 1.82% more than Yucaipa ($113,468 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $129,271
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $115,537
Yucaipa
Nominal: $128,332
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,468

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,271/year)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,537)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Yucaipa if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($175,735)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in San Diego grew 28.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.8% growth in Yucaipa over the same period.

San Diego, CA

+28.1%

$96,100 (2019) → $123,080 (2025)

Yucaipa, CA

+-7.8%

$132,488 (2024) → $122,186 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: San Diego or Yucaipa?

San Diego has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $129,271/year, compared to Yucaipa at $128,332/year — a difference of $939 (0.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Diego and Yucaipa?

San Diego magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $62.15/hr while Yucaipa hygienists earn $61.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Diego to Yucaipa as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and Yucaipa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $115,537, Yucaipa = $113,468), job availability (320 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in San Diego vs Yucaipa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $78,247 in San Diego and $88,495 in Yucaipa. The Yucaipa 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