Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in San Diego, CA: $129,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in San Diego, CA earns a median $129,271/year (≈ $62.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $115,537 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists in San Diego, CA, enjoy a favorable median annual salary of $129,271, significantly higher than the national average of $100,283. Salary ranges for these professionals are diverse, with the lowest 10% earning about $78,247 while top earners can make up to $160,853. This robust compensation is driven by demand for MRI services and various factors like shift differentials and call coverage, which can considerably increase earnings. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, highlights the financial opportunities available in San Diego's healthcare sector, particularly for those with specialized skills in cardiac and neuro MRI.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,247 | $37.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,985 | $46.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,271 | $62.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,804 | $72.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,853 | $77.33 |
Median Salary Position
28.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,606 (2026 est.). At $129,271, the local median is 28.91% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
San Diego median: $129,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $100,283 | +28.91% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in San Diego, CA earn a median of $129,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.91% higher than the national median of $100,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,271 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $115,537 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,100
2025 BLS Actual
$123,080
2026 Current Est.
$129,271
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,773 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 28.1% from $96,100 (2019) to $123,080 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,673 (41.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $78,247 – $96,985 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,985 – $129,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,271 – $149,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,804 – $160,853 |
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 San Diego
While the job market for MRI technologists in San Diego is strong with approximately 320 professionals employed, the cost of living is also a significant consideration, reflected in a cost of living index of 111.887, indicating above-average expenses. Key employers offering competitive pay include hospital imaging departments, outpatient MRI imaging centers such as RadNet and SimonMed, as well as mobile MRI companies and orthopedic practices. The variation in salaries is influenced by subspecialty expertise, with cardiac MRI often commanding the highest pay, alongside factors like shift differentials, call coverage, and the potential for additional income through certifications such as MRSO. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing further subspecializations, negotiating shift differentials, and considering travel positions could provide advantageous pathways within the evolving landscape of magnetic resonance imaging technologist pay in San Diego, CA.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $123,080 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the San Diego 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