Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $105,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $105,532/year (≈ $50.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $99,465 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn a median annual salary of $105,532, slightly above the national median of $100,283, reflecting the local healthcare structure's unique demands. The salary range for these professionals ranges from $78,463 at the 10th percentile to $137,722 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial potential for earnings based on experience, specialized skills, and workplace type. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and consider the regional cost of living adjustments, essential for understanding the economic landscape for MRI technologists in this market. With only five imaging technologists currently employed in Fairbanks, competition is limited, which might enrich job security and opportunities for growth.
About the Fairbanks Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,463 | $37.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,118 | $43.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,532 | $50.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,731 | $56.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,722 | $66.21 |
Median Salary Position
5.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,259 (2026 est.). At $105,532, the local median is 5.23% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $105,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $106,383 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | +5.23% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $105,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 0.80% below the Alaska state average of $106,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,532 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,465 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,253
2025 BLS Actual
$100,478
2026 Current Est.
$105,532
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,253 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,282 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,123 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,921 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,840 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $77,253 (2019) to $100,478 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,840 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,587 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,463 – $90,118 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,118 – $105,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,532 – $116,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,731 – $137,722 |
MRI Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual magnetic resonance imaging technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Job Market in Fairbanks
Considering the cost of living in Fairbanks, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 106.1, the purchasing power of salaries for magnetic resonance imaging technologists may not stretch as far as in other regions. Employers in Fairbanks, including hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers, often determine pay rates, and it appears that institutions servicing trauma patients might offer higher salaries due to the demand for complex imaging. Variance in salaries also hinges on factors like subspecialties—those with expertise in cardiac MRI often command a premium compared to generalists—as well as shift differentials and supplemental income from certifications like MRSO or travel assignments. For technologists seeking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional certifications, specializing in in-demand areas, and being open to travel assignments could prove beneficial in the Fairbanks AK job market.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Fairbanks, AK in 2026?
Is Fairbanks, AK a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Fairbanks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Fairbanks?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Fairbanks?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,478 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 5.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fairbanks is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for magnetic resonance imaging technologists (SOC 29-2035).
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