Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Waipahu, HI: $117,232 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Waipahu, HI earns a median $117,232/year (≈ $56.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $98,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waipahu, HI, magnetic resonance imaging technologists can expect a robust median annual salary of $117,232 in 2026, significantly outperforming the national median of $100,283 by 16.90%. Salary ranges reflect a diverse job market, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $84,779 and the top 90% making as much as $157,412. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, suggest that the role is highly valued. This job market is particularly driven by shift differentials and call coverage, which are critical factors for those seeking top-end compensation in such a specialized field.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,779 | $40.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,350 | $47.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,232 | $56.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,439 | $60.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,412 | $75.67 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,633 (2026 est.). At $117,232, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $117,232/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $119,625 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | +16.90% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $117,232 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $119,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,232 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,267 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,818
2025 BLS Actual
$111,618
2026 Current Est.
$117,232
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,818 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,314 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,627 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,894 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,239 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,618 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,232 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $85,818 (2019) to $111,618 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,311 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $84,779 – $98,350 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,350 – $117,232 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,232 – $125,439 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,439 – $157,412 |
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 Waipahu
The employment landscape for MRI technologists in Waipahu is relatively small, with nine professionals currently active in the area. A higher cost of living index of 119.3 indicates that wages may not stretch as far as they would in other locales. Among local employers, hospital imaging departments typically provide the most competitive salaries, while outpatient MRI centers and mobile MRI companies may offer varying pay scales. The salary gap seen among technologists is influenced largely by subspecialty expertise, with cardiac MRI roles commanding higher wages compared to general MRI positions. Additionally, those willing to work night shifts or weekends often benefit from shift differentials, while coverage for call duties in trauma centers can enhance earnings. For technologists looking to maximize their pay in Waipahu, pursuing MRSO certification and training in newer modalities like cardiac MRI can be beneficial strategies, allowing them to tap into the growing demand within the specialty.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Waipahu, HI in 2026?
Is Waipahu, HI a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Waipahu?
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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 $111,618 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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