Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Scottsdale, AZ: $104,098 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Scottsdale, AZ earns a median $104,098/year (≈ $50.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Scottsdale's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $105,683 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Scottsdale, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,098, reflecting the area's competitive compensation rates compared to the national median of $100,283. This salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $71,601 while experienced technologists can reach up to $143,207. Scottsdale's figures, driven by local estimates from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight how shift differentials and call coverage can elevate earnings significantly, especially in a market with a growing demand for specialized imaging services. Given Scottsdale's robust job market, MRI technologists can anticipate substantial opportunities for income maximization in this thriving healthcare environment.
About the Scottsdale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,601 | $34.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,519 | $41.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,098 | $50.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,882 | $57.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,207 | $68.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsdale
In Scottsdale, AZ, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,606 (2026 est.). At $104,098, the local median is 3.8% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scottsdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scottsdale Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Scottsdale median: $104,098/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $98,765 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $100,283 | +3.80% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Scottsdale, AZ earn a median of $104,098 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 5.40% above the Arizona state average of $98,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsdale has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scottsdale, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $104,098 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,683 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,203
2025 BLS Actual
$99,113
2026 Current Est.
$104,098
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Scottsdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,532 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,137 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,272 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,098 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsdale metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $76,203 (2019) to $99,113 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,132 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsdale 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) | $71,601 – $85,519 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,519 – $104,098 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,098 – $119,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,882 – $143,207 |
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 Scottsdale
In Scottsdale, there are currently 44 magnetic resonance imaging technologists employed, emphasizing a targeted local workforce in this specialized field. The cost of living index, at 98.5, indicates that while salaries may be higher, the expense of living remains manageable, allowing for potentially greater take-home purchasing power. The area's top-paying employers can be found in various sectors, including hospital imaging departments, outpatient MRI imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and mobile MRI companies. The earning disparities within the market are often linked to subspecialty expertise—such as cardiac MRI outperforming others—and factors such as working on weekends or being on call for trauma centers. For professionals seeking to enhance their magnetic resonance imaging technologist pay in Scottsdale, pursuing advanced certifications like MRSO can be beneficial, as can cross-training in growing subspecialties like cardiac MRI and mpMRI, which are increasingly in demand across healthcare settings.
More salary data for Scottsdale, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Scottsdale, AZ in 2026?
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Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Scottsdale?
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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 $99,113 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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