Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Joplin, MO: $74,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Joplin, MO earns a median $74,025/year (≈ $35.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $86,359 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, the compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists reflects a growing demand for specialized skills, particularly in cardiac MRI and neuro subspecialties. In 2026, professionals in this field can anticipate a median annual salary of $74,025, with a range extending from $69,750 at the lower tenth percentile to $97,961 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. When considering how this salary fits within the broader context of the workforce, it becomes evident that Joplin's market for MRI technologists is promising, especially as more healthcare facilities integrate advanced imaging technologies and expand their cardiology and neurology departments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,750 | $33.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,025 | $35.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,025 | $35.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,453 | $45.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,961 | $47.10 |
Median Salary Position
26.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,211 (2026 est.). At $74,025, the local median is 26.18% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Joplin Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Joplin median: $74,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $81,168 | -8.80% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -26.18% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Joplin, MO earn a median of $74,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.18% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 8.80% below the Missouri state average of $81,168.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $74,025 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,359 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,410
2025 BLS Actual
$70,480
2026 Current Est.
$74,025
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,749 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 12.9% from $62,410 (2019) to $70,480 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,749 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,339 (24.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $69,750 – $74,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,025 – $74,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,025 – $94,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,453 – $97,961 |
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 Joplin
The job market for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Joplin consists of around 40 professionals, underscoring a competitive environment amid a cost-of-living index of 85.718, which suggests that living expenses are below the national average. Key employers that typically offer higher salaries include hospital imaging departments, outpatient MRI imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and mobile MRI service companies. Wage disparities exist amongst techs largely due to subspecialties, such as the higher pay associated with cardiac MRI versus more general roles. Shift differentials and on-call responsibilities, especially in trauma settings, further influence compensation. For those looking to enhance their earnings in this specific market, acquiring additional certifications like MRSO or pursuing roles in high-demand subspecialties can significantly improve pay prospects, making it beneficial for technologists to explore advanced training options through respected organizations like ASRT and SMRT.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $70,480 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Joplin 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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