MRI Technologist Pay

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Little Rock, AR: $83,856 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Little Rock, AR earns a median $83,856/year (≈ $40.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $93,836 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Arkansas state average.

$83,856
Median Annual Salary
$40.32/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$64,951
Entry Level (P10)
$102,478
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Little Rock, AR — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Little Rock, AR magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Little Rock, Arkansas, the salary for a magnetic resonance imaging technologist is projected to be $83,856 in 2026, reflecting the specialized demand for MRI expertise, particularly in cardiac and neuro subspecialties that can command premium wages in this market. Technologists in the city can expect a salary range from $64,951 at the lower end to $102,478 for those at the higher end of the scale, which positions this occupation as competitive within the healthcare sector. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reveals that despite a strong local market for MRI technologists, the median salary in Little Rock is about 16.38% lower than the national average of $100,283, indicating geographical salary disparities that influence local job prospects.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$64,951$31.23
Lower Range (P25)$74,277$35.71
Median (P50)(typical)$83,856$40.32
Upper Range (P75)$95,483$45.91
Top Earners (P90)$102,478$49.27

Median Salary Position

$64,951$102,478
City Median: $83,856
National: $100,283
P10–P90 Range

16.38% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Little Rock. The median salary is $83,856, compared to the national median of $100,283.$58.5K$70.7K$83.0K$95.3K$107.6K$65.0K10th Pctl$74.3K25th Pctl$83.9KMedian$95.5K75th Pctl$102.5K90th PctlUS Median$100.3K

In Little Rock, AR, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,527 (2026 est.). At $83,856, the local median is 16.38% below the national median of $100,283.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of magnetic resonance imaging technologist pay in the Little Rock metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,613
per week
$6,989
per month
$83,868
per year

At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be above the median

How Little Rock Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares

Little Rock median: $83,856/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLittle Rock Pays
Arkansas Average$87,168-3.80% less
National Average$100,283-16.38% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing magnetic resonance imaging technologist median salary in Little Rock ($83,856) with Arkansas average ($87,168) and the US national median ($100,283).Little Rock$83,856Arkansas Avg$87,168-3.80%US National$100,283-16.38%

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $83,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.38% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 3.80% below the Arkansas state average of $87,168.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$83,856
Nominal Salary
89.364
CoL Index
$93,836
Adjusted Salary

Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $83,856. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 89.364, the purchasing-power equivalent is $93,836, a gain of $9,980.$71.3K$82.3K$93.3K$104.3K$115.3K$83,856NominalSalary$93,836CoL Adjusted(CoL: 89.364) 11.90%US Median $100.3K

Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $83,856 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,836 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$60,470

2025 BLS Actual

$79,840

2026 Current Est.

$83,856

2019–2027 Growth

+45.6%

Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Little Rock (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Little Rock. Baseline $60,470 in 2025, projected to $88,074 by 2027.$54.1K$64.0K$73.9K$83.8K$93.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$60.5K$59.8K$61.0K$64.8K$77.3K$73.3K$79.8K$83.9K$88.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$60,470Actual
2020$59,760Actual
2021$60,970Actual
2022$64,790Actual
2023$77,310Actual
2024$73,260Actual
2025$79,840Actual
2026(current)$83,856Estimated
2027$88,074Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 32.0% from $60,470 (2019) to $79,840 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,604 (45.65%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$64,951$74,277
3-5 years (Mid Career)$74,277$83,856
5+ years (Experienced)$83,856$95,483
10+ years (Top Earner)$95,483$102,478

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 Little Rock

With around 150 magnetic resonance imaging technologists currently employed in Little Rock, the local job market maintains a steady demand for skilled professionals. The cost-of-living index, which stands at 89.364, suggests that although the salaries may be lower compared to national figures, the purchasing power for technologists can be favorable when living expenses are considered. Employers that tend to offer higher pay in the area include hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and orthopedic surgery practices. The disparity in pay is often driven by subspecialty expertise—with cardiac MRI typically commanding the highest rates—shift differentials for nights and weekends, and the possibility of additional income from roles as applications specialists. For those in Little Rock looking to maximize their earning potential, gaining certifications such as MRSO, pursuing travel opportunities, and seeking out positions at facilities with higher case volumes may be strategic approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Little Rock, AR in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Little Rock is $83,856/year ($40.32/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.03% annual growth). Salaries range from $64,951 at entry level (10th percentile) to $102,478 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Little Rock at 16.4% below the national median. Full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Little Rock, AR a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Little Rock magnetic resonance imaging technologist salaries are 16.4% below the national average and 3.8% below the Arkansas state average. The metro area employs approximately 150 magnetic resonance imaging technologists. With a cost-of-living index of 89.364, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Little Rock?

The median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Little Rock is $83,856, and the 90th percentile earns $102,478. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Little Rock?

After adjusting for Little Rock's cost-of-living index of 89.364 (where 100 equals the national average), the $83,856 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $93,836 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 11.9% further in Little Rock compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for magnetic resonance imaging technologists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Little Rock?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Little Rock earn a median hourly rate of $40.32, which translates to approximately $83,856/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $31.23 for entry-level positions to $49.27 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem magnetic resonance imaging technologists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Arkansas

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

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 $79,840 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Little Rock 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

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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

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