Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Daly City, CA: $132,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Daly City, CA earns a median $132,679/year (≈ $63.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $117,311 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the median annual salary for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Daly City is projected to hit $132,679, significantly above the national median of $100,283. This higher earning potential is driven in part by the demand for skilled professionals specializing in cardiac MRI and neuro imaging, often reflected in higher pay rates. With a salary range from $91,963 at the 10th percentile to $175,426 at the 90th percentile, these figures suggest a lucrative market for MRI technologists. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the competitive compensation landscape in Daly City, which is partially influenced by the presence of multiple healthcare facilities and advanced imaging technologies.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,963 | $44.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,493 | $52.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,679 | $63.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,545 | $70.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,426 | $84.34 |
Median Salary Position
32.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,463 (2026 est.). At $132,679, the local median is 32.3% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Daly City median: $132,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,317 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $100,283 | +32.30% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $132,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.30% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 2.60% above the California state average of $129,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,679 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,311 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,125
2025 BLS Actual
$126,325
2026 Current Est.
$132,679
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,125 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,819 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,963 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,792 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,976 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $97,125 (2019) to $126,325 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,228 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $91,963 – $109,493 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,493 – $132,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,679 – $146,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,545 – $175,426 |
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 Daly City
In Daly City, the job market for magnetic resonance imaging technologists features approximately 20 employed professionals, indicating a stable demand for expertise in this field. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which suggests that professionals should consider its impact on take-home purchasing power when negotiating salaries. Major employers include hospital imaging departments, outpatient MRI centers, and mobile MRI companies, all of which may offer varied compensation packages. Pay disparities often arise due to several factors, including subspecialization, shift differentials for evenings and weekends, and call coverage at trauma centers. To maximize their earning potential within this competitive environment, MRI technologists should pursue subspecialty certifications such as cardiac MRI or MRSO certification, and explore opportunities in travel positions, which often come with premium pay.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $126,325 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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