Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Garden Grove, CA: $132,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Garden Grove, CA earns a median $132,198/year (≈ $63.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Garden Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $116,886 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $132,198 in 2026, magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Garden Grove, CA, enjoy a pay range that spans from $90,867 at the lower end (P10) to $178,717 at the top (P90). This salary outperforms the national median of $100,283 by a substantial margin, reflecting the market's demand for skilled MRI professionals. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, indicate a dynamic job landscape where various compensation factors, including shift differentials and call coverage, contribute to higher earnings for those working in busy hospital imaging departments or specialized outpatient MRI imaging centers. Given this competitive pay structure, Garden Grove presents strong opportunities for MRI technologists looking to maximize their potential income.
About the Garden Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,867 | $43.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,517 | $52.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,198 | $63.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,348 | $71.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,717 | $85.93 |
Median Salary Position
31.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, CA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,850 (2026 est.). At $132,198, the local median is 31.82% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden Grove Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Garden Grove median: $132,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,226 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $100,283 | +31.82% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $132,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.82% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 2.30% above the California state average of $129,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,198 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,886 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,773
2025 BLS Actual
$125,867
2026 Current Est.
$132,198
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Garden Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,773 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,579 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,391 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,848 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden Grove metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $96,773 (2019) to $125,867 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,075 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden Grove 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) | $90,867 – $108,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,517 – $132,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,198 – $148,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,348 – $178,717 |
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 Garden Grove
Currently, there are 37 magnetic resonance imaging technologists employed in Garden Grove, a number that speaks to the local job market's strength. The cost of living index sits at 113.1, which suggests that while salaries are high, purchasing power is somewhat constrained compared to national averages. Employers that offer the best pay often include hospital imaging departments and specialized outpatient facilities like RadNet and SimonMed, which regularly seek technologists with subspecialty certifications such as MRSO. The spread between lower and higher pay can be attributed to factors like subspecialty expertise, particularly in cardiac MRI and advanced neuro imaging, as well as various shift differentials that offer premium pay rates for nights and weekends. For those pursuing roles in Garden Grove, obtaining additional certifications and exploring travel MRI opportunities can significantly enhance earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Garden Grove, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Garden Grove?
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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 $125,867 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove 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