MRI Technologist Pay

St. Louis vs Springfield: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

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

St. Louis, MO
$87,521
$42.08/hr
Springfield, MO
$81,178
$39.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$87,521$81,178
Hourly Rate$42.08$39.03
Entry Level (P10)$69,498$68,227
25th Percentile$80,873$68,227
75th Percentile$99,033$102,026
Top Earner (P90)$104,106$103,843
Total Employed48080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($87,521) and Springfield ($81,178) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.St. LouisSpringfieldMedian Salary$87,521$81,178Entry Level (P10)$69,498$68,227Top Earner (P90)$104,106$103,843US Median $100,283

Verdict

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

The salary gap between St. Louis and Springfield is $6,343 (7.81%). St. Louis's median is -12.73% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $34,608,Springfield spans $35,616. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced magnetic resonance imaging technologists.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$69,498
P25$80,873
Median$87,521
P75$99,033
P90 (Top)$104,106
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$68,227
P25$68,227
Median$81,178
P75$102,026
P90 (Top)$103,843

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($92,042 effective) pays 0.44% more than Springfield ($91,639 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $87,521
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $92,042
Springfield
Nominal: $81,178
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $91,639

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,521/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,106)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,042)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield 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 St. Louis grew 29.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 35.8% growth in Springfield over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+29.6%

$64,280 (2019) → $83,330 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+35.8%

$56,910 (2019) → $77,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: St. Louis or Springfield?

St. Louis has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $87,521/year, compared to Springfield at $81,178/year — a difference of $6,343 (7.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and Springfield?

St. Louis magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $42.08/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $39.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Louis to Springfield as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $92,042, Springfield = $91,639), job availability (480 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in St. Louis vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $69,498 in St. Louis and $68,227 in Springfield. The St. Louis 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