Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in New Bern, NC: $85,840 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in New Bern, NC earns a median $85,840/year (≈ $41.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in New Bern's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $91,709 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in New Bern is projected to be $85,840 annually, significantly influenced by shift differentials and on-call coverage, which often results in top-end earnings nearing $110,104. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $62,190 at the lower 10th percentile to up to $110,104 for top earners, demonstrating a healthy market for MRI technologists. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, creating a competitive compensation structure that reflects local demand. With New Bern exhibiting a lower-than-average cost of living index of 93.6, professionals in this field enjoy relatively strong purchasing power despite earning less than the national median of $100,283.
About the New Bern Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,190 | $29.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,098 | $34.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,840 | $41.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,781 | $45.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,104 | $52.94 |
Median Salary Position
14.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bern
In New Bern, NC, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,914 (2026 est.). At $85,840, the local median is 14.4% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bern: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bern Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
New Bern median: $85,840/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bern Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,503 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -14.40% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in New Bern, NC earn a median of $85,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.40% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $87,503.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bern has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bern, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $85,840 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,709 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,838
2025 BLS Actual
$81,729
2026 Current Est.
$85,840
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,838 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,933 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,219 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,555 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,761 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,729 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,840 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,158 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bern metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $62,838 (2019) to $81,729 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,158 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,320 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bern 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) | $62,190 – $72,098 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,098 – $85,840 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,840 – $93,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,781 – $110,104 |
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 New Bern
Looking at the job market in 2026, only seven magnetic resonance imaging technologists are employed in New Bern, indicating a small but established workforce. This limited number can result in competitive hiring practices among local employers, including hospital imaging departments, outpatient MRI centers, and mobile services. These facilities tend to offer varying salaries based on subspecialty, with cardiac MRI roles attracting particularly high pay due to demand. Factors like shift differentials for nights and weekends and call coverage at trauma centers also drive salary breadth. For those aiming to maximize their compensation in New Bern, pursuing specialized certifications like MRSO and gaining experience in subspecialties can be beneficial. Exploring opportunities in travel MRI positions may additionally offer lucrative pay enhancements during peak demand times.
More salary data for New Bern, NC:
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 $81,729 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the New Bern 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 New Bern 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