Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Iowa City, IA: $90,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Iowa City, IA earns a median $90,291/year (≈ $43.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $99,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Iowa City, IA, can expect significant compensation, with a median annual salary of $90,291 as of 2026. This figure reflects the local job market dynamics and is notably lower than the national median of $100,283. Salaries for MRI technologists in the region exhibit a broad spectrum, ranging from $62,367 at the 10th percentile to $118,500 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments reveal the competitive salary landscape, which is influenced by the structural choices within the community, including hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and the rising demand from mobile MRI services. Given the small but specialized workforce of 14 MRI technologists employed locally, Iowa City's job market offers promising opportunities.
About the Iowa City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,367 | $29.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,152 | $35.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,291 | $43.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,621 | $47.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,500 | $56.97 |
Median Salary Position
9.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,133 (2026 est.). At $90,291, the local median is 9.96% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be above the median
How Iowa City Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $90,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $90,654 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -9.96% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $90,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.96% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $90,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City 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.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $90,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,879 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
$66,096
2025 BLS Actual
$85,967
2026 Current Est.
$90,291
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,096 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,652 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,833 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $66,096 (2019) to $85,967 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,833 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,737 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $62,367 – $74,152 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,152 – $90,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,291 – $99,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,621 – $118,500 |
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 Iowa City
The cost of living index in Iowa City stands at 90.4, which is below the national average; thus, the purchasing power for MRI technologists is fairly robust in this area. Among local employers, hospital imaging departments generally offer the highest pay for technologists, whereas outpatient facilities may present lower base salaries but potential for additional income through expertise in specific subspecialties like cardiac MRI or neuro imaging. Variations in compensation are driven by factors such as shift differentials, call coverage, and specialized certifications like MRSO. For those looking to maximize their magnetic resonance imaging technologist pay in Iowa City, obtaining advanced credentials, considering night or weekend shifts, and exploring mobile MRI positions can enhance earning potential significantly. As demand for specialties like cardiac MRI continues to grow, the right qualifications and strategic employment choices will play a vital role in achieving higher compensation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
Is Iowa City, IA a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Iowa City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Iowa City?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Iowa City?
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 $85,967 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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