Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $129,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $129,284/year (≈ $62.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,309 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Santa Cruz is projected to reach $129,284, significantly surpassing the national median of $100,283 by approximately 28.92%. Local MRI technologists can expect a salary range from $97,260 at the 10th percentile to $178,962 at the 90th percentile, with estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. With the competitive nature of healthcare in Santa Cruz, particularly in hospital versus outpatient settings, MRI techs can find diverse employment opportunities, each offering varying compensation packages.
About the Santa Cruz Market
Salary estimated from California average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,260 | $46.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,748 | $53.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,284 | $62.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,458 | $67.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,962 | $86.04 |
Median Salary Position
28.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,702 (2026 est.). At $129,284, the local median is 28.92% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $129,284/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $100,283 | +28.92% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $129,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.92% higher than the national median of $100,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,284 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,309 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$94,640
2025 BLS Actual
$123,092
2026 Current Est.
$129,284
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,732 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,251 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,957 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,471 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $94,640 (2019) to $123,092 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,146 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $97,260 – $111,748 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,748 – $129,284 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,284 – $140,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,458 – $178,962 |
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 Santa Cruz
Examining the job market dynamics reveals that there are currently 12 magnetic resonance imaging technologists employed in Santa Cruz, highlighting a specialized yet limited field. The city's cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that wages must keep pace with higher living expenses, directly impacting take-home pay. Employers like hospital imaging departments and orthopedic surgery practices tend to offer higher salaries, particularly due to needed subspecialties such as cardiac MRI and neuro imaging. Additional factors contributing to pay disparities include shift differentials for nights and weekends, demand for call coverage in trauma centers, and potential stipends for certifications like MRSO. To maximize income, technologists may consider diversifying skills, pursuing specialized certifications, and exploring opportunities with travel MRI tech agencies, which typically offer premium pay.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Santa Cruz, CA in 2026?
Is Santa Cruz, CA a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Santa Cruz?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Santa Cruz?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Santa Cruz?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $123,092 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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