Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in St. Louis, MO: $87,521 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in St. Louis, MO earns a median $87,521/year (≈ $42.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in St. Louis's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $92,042 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, magnetic resonance imaging technologists in St. Louis, Missouri, command a median annual salary of $87,521, which highlights a competitive market despite being 12.73% below the national median of $100,283. The salary range extends from $69,498 at the 10th percentile to $104,106 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential for those with specialized skills or unique certifications. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the strong demand for MRI technology due in part to increasing complexity in imaging modalities, such as cardiac and neuro MRI. St. Louis offers a dynamic environment where shift differentials and on-call coverage can substantially enhance overall compensation, making it an attractive location for today's MRI technologists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,498 | $33.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,873 | $38.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,521 | $42.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,033 | $47.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,106 | $50.06 |
Median Salary Position
12.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis
In St. Louis, MO, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,608 (2026 est.). At $87,521, the local median is 12.73% below the national median of $100,283.
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How St. Louis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
St. Louis median: $87,521/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $81,189 | +7.80% more |
| National Average | $100,283 | -12.73% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in St. Louis, MO earn a median of $87,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 7.80% above the Missouri state average of $81,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis has a cost of living 4.91% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Louis, MO has a cost-of-living index of 95.088 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $87,521 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,042 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,280
2025 BLS Actual
$83,330
2026 Current Est.
$87,521
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,521 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 29.6% from $64,280 (2019) to $83,330 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,644 (43.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis 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) | $69,498 – $80,873 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,873 – $87,521 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,521 – $99,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,033 – $104,106 |
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 St. Louis
The local job market includes approximately 480 magnetic resonance imaging technologists, which contributes to a regular demand for skilled professionals. Despite this strong employment figure, the cost of living in St. Louis remains slightly below the national average, with a cost of living index of 95.088, positively impacting take-home pay. Employers offering the best compensation packages are typically found in hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and trauma centers, which incentivize their staff with significant shift differentials and call coverage. The variation in earnings can be influenced by subspecialty focus, with those specializing in cardiac MRI and 7T research roles often commanding higher pay. For maximizing income, it’s advisable to seek out opportunities that offer MRSO certification stipends and additional roles such as applications specialists, which can provide an extra financial boost in the thriving St. Louis market.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
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Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in St. Louis?
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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 $83,330 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the St. Louis 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