Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Salisbury, NC: $86,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Salisbury, NC earns a median $86,016/year (≈ $41.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $91,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, the projected annual compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists is $86,016 for 2026. With a salary range spanning from $62,523 at the 10th percentile to $107,420 at the 90th percentile, this demonstrates a competitive pay structure influenced by local job demands and operational necessities like shift differentials and call coverage. Region-specific adjustments derived from BLS state-level data indicate that despite a median salary below the national average—$100,283—the opportunities for advanced experience and specialized training can lead to top-end earnings for professionals in this field. In Salisbury, the strong market for MRI positions reflects the growing importance of specialized imaging in healthcare, especially in facilities that maintain high-demand services.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,523 | $30.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,463 | $34.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,016 | $41.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,396 | $44.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,420 | $51.64 |
Median Salary Position
14.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, NC, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,897 (2026 est.). At $86,016, the local median is 14.23% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be above the median
How Salisbury Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $86,016/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,504 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -14.23% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $86,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.23% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $87,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury 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.
Salisbury, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $86,016 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,897 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,967
2025 BLS Actual
$81,897
2026 Current Est.
$86,016
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,967 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,355 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,696 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,827 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,904 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,897 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,343 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $62,967 (2019) to $81,897 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,343 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,376 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $62,523 – $72,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,463 – $86,016 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,016 – $92,396 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,396 – $107,420 |
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 Salisbury
Despite having only six magnetic resonance imaging technologists currently employed in the Salisbury area, the local job market remains stable thanks to a relatively low cost of living index of 93.6. This indicates that while salaries are lower than the national median, purchasing power for residents can still be favorable. Facilities such as hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and orthopedic surgery practices often offer the highest salaries, especially for those with subspecialties like cardiac MRI or neuroimaging. Other factors contributing to the pay range include shift differentials for weekend and night shifts, call coverage at trauma centers, and possible stipends for MRSO certification. To maximize pay in Salisbury's market, technologists should focus on cross-training, pursuing certifications, and seeking roles in high-demand specialties while being open to mobile MRI opportunities or travel positions that may offer increased financial benefits.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Salisbury, NC in 2026?
Is Salisbury, NC a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Salisbury?
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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 $81,897 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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