Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Ames, IA: $90,212 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Ames, IA earns a median $90,212/year (≈ $43.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Ames's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $99,792 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for a magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Ames, Iowa, sits at $90,212 annually, which is somewhat lower compared to the national median of $100,283. The local market offers a salary range from $62,555 at the 10th percentile to $123,968 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the impact of subspecialty skills on pay. Those training in cardiac MRI or neuro specialties, for instance, may command higher wages due to increased demand for these competencies. These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors, which indicates that while opportunities abound, local rates do remain below national averages, shaping the competitive landscape for Missouri’s MRI technologists.
About the Ames Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,555 | $30.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,993 | $35.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,212 | $43.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,877 | $49.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,968 | $59.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,413 (2026 est.). At $90,212, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Ames median: $90,212/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $90,666 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -10.04% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Ames, IA earn a median of $90,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $90,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $90,212 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,792 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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
$66,038
2025 BLS Actual
$85,892
2026 Current Est.
$90,212
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,038 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,592 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,047 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,331 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,569 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,212 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,750 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $66,038 (2019) to $85,892 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,750 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,712 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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) | $62,555 – $73,993 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,993 – $90,212 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,212 – $102,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,877 – $123,968 |
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 Ames
With only 12 magnetic resonance imaging technologists currently employed in Ames, the job market is relatively niche, but it offers considerable opportunities within specialized settings. The cost of living index in Ames stands at 90.4, suggesting a slightly lower living expense compared to the national average. This results in potentially greater take-home purchasing power for local professionals. Among the highest-paying employers, hospital imaging departments and outpatient MRI centers like RadNet generally offer better compensation packages, particularly for those with skills in high-demand areas such as cardiac MRI. The wide salary range in Ames can stem from factors like subspecialty certification, overtime availability for night and weekend shifts, and potential stipends for MRSO certification. To maximize earning potential in this market, it would be advantageous for technologists to pursue additional qualifications, seek positions at facilities with diverse imaging needs, and explore travel opportunities that often come with significant pay differentials.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Ames?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Ames?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Ames?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $85,892 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Ames 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 Ames 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