Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $87,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $87,549/year (≈ $42.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $96,846 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, a magnetic resonance imaging technologist earns an estimated median annual salary of $87,549 in 2026, which is approximately 12.70% below the national median of $100,283 for the same year. Salary ranges for this profession locally are projected to vary from $63,196 at the 10th percentile to $115,111 at the 90th percentile. These estimates reflect local conditions based on 2025 BLS data and account for regional price adjustments. This relatively modest salary, while competitive among radiologic technology roles, reflects the local job market dynamics, emphasizing the importance of understanding whether to work in hospital settings, outpatient centers, or even as a traveling MRI tech in Council Bluffs.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,196 | $30.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,942 | $35.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,549 | $42.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,637 | $47.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,111 | $55.34 |
Median Salary Position
12.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,915 (2026 est.). At $87,549, the local median is 12.7% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $87,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $90,630 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -12.70% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $87,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $90,630.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $87,549 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,846 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
$64,088
2025 BLS Actual
$83,356
2026 Current Est.
$87,549
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,088 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,206 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,537 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,603 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,356 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $64,088 (2019) to $83,356 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,865 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $63,196 – $73,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,942 – $87,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,549 – $98,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,637 – $115,111 |
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 Council Bluffs
The Council Bluffs area hosts about 12 magnetic resonance imaging technologists, which indicates a niche employment market given the population size. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, professionals can find their purchasing power effectively higher than the nominal salary suggests. Hospitals typically offer the highest pay, followed closely by outpatient imaging centers; for instance, competition among facilities like RadNet and SimonMed impacts local salary structures. Salary discrepancies stem from various factors, including subspecialties such as cardiac MRI and the demand for shift differentials and weekend work. To maximize their earnings, MRI technologists should pursue MRSO certification or additional subspecialty training, aligning their skills with the increasing demand for advanced imaging techniques in a region that values specialized talent.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Council Bluffs, IA in 2026?
Is Council Bluffs, IA a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Council Bluffs?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Council Bluffs?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Council Bluffs?
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 $83,356 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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