Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Burlington, IA: $87,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Burlington, IA earns a median $87,047/year (≈ $41.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $96,291 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, the salary for magnetic resonance imaging technologists reflects both the local market dynamics and the demand for specialized skills. Projected figures for 2026 indicate a median annual salary of $87,047, which is approximately 13.20% lower than the national median of $100,283. Technologists in this field can expect compensation ranging from $66,251 at the 10th percentile to as much as $109,914 at the 90th percentile. The variations in pay are largely influenced by subspecialty expertise, with cardiac MRI and neuro imaging holding considerable value in this market. Employers are keen on these specialized skills to meet patient needs in a competitive healthcare environment.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,251 | $31.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,398 | $36.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,047 | $41.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,678 | $45.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,914 | $52.84 |
Median Salary Position
13.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,663 (2026 est.). At $87,047, the local median is 13.2% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $87,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $90,674 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -13.20% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Burlington, IA earn a median of $87,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.20% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $90,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $87,047 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,291 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,721
2025 BLS Actual
$82,878
2026 Current Est.
$87,047
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,721 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,832 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,688 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,233 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,425 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $63,721 (2019) to $82,878 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,704 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $66,251 – $75,398 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,398 – $87,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,047 – $94,678 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,678 – $109,914 |
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 Burlington
While the job market consists of only four magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Burlington, the cost of living index at 90.4 offers some context for the area’s salary dynamics. This means that purchasing power for these professionals is relatively strong, despite lower salaries compared to national averages. Top employers include local hospital imaging departments and specialized outpatient MRI imaging centers, with those offering travel MRI positions often providing a higher pay scale due to demand for rapid staffing solutions. The differences in compensation can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, call coverage, and additional certifications like MRSO. To maximize their earning potential, technologists should consider pursuing advanced subspecialties and seeking positions with travel opportunities or those that include stipends for specialized skills.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Burlington, IA in 2026?
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Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Burlington?
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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 $82,878 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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