MRI Technologist Pay

Tampa vs Winter Garden: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries between Tampa, FL and Winter Garden, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Tampa, FL
$86,849
$41.75/hr
Winter Garden, FL
$84,666
$40.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTampa, FLWinter Garden, FL
Median Salary$86,849$84,666
Hourly Rate$41.75$40.71
Entry Level (P10)$52,631$65,999
25th Percentile$79,770$74,552
75th Percentile$102,898$94,011
Top Earner (P90)$108,811$111,082
Total Employed54010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Tampa ($86,849) and Winter Garden ($84,666) magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries.TampaWinter GardenMedian Salary$86,849$84,666Entry Level (P10)$52,631$65,999Top Earner (P90)$108,811$111,082US Median $100,283

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Winter Garden.

The salary gap between Tampa and Winter Garden is $2,183 (2.58%). Tampa's median is -13.40% compared to the US national median of $100,283.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Tampa spans $56,180,Winter Garden spans $45,083. Tampa has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Tampa
P10 (Entry)$52,631
P25$79,770
Median$86,849
P75$102,898
P90 (Top)$108,811
Winter Garden
P10 (Entry)$65,999
P25$74,552
Median$84,666
P75$94,011
P90 (Top)$111,082

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($86,083 effective) pays 2.49% more than Winter Garden ($83,994 effective).

Tampa
Nominal: $86,849
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $86,083
Winter Garden
Nominal: $84,666
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $83,994

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,849/year)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,083)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Winter Garden if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($111,082)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries in Tampa grew 25.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.0% growth in Winter Garden over the same period.

Tampa, FL

+25.7%

$65,770 (2019) → $82,690 (2025)

Winter Garden, FL

+12.0%

$71,946 (2024) → $80,611 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays magnetic resonance imaging technologists more: Tampa or Winter Garden?

Tampa has a higher median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary at $86,849/year, compared to Winter Garden at $84,666/year — a difference of $2,183 (2.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Tampa and Winter Garden?

Tampa magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $41.75/hr while Winter Garden hygienists earn $40.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Tampa to Winter Garden as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Tampa and Winter Garden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Tampa = $86,083, Winter Garden = $83,994), job availability (540 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn in Tampa vs Winter Garden?

Entry-level (10th percentile) magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn $52,631 in Tampa and $65,999 in Winter Garden. The Winter Garden 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