Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $98,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $98,308/year (≈ $47.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $103,081 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Cincinnati is projected to sit at a median of $98,308, slightly below the national figure of $100,283. Salaries for these professionals range from $78,920 at the lower end to $107,918 on the upper tier, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The competitive compensation partly reflects Cincinnati's robust healthcare landscape, where shift differentials and call coverage often push salaries toward the higher end. Technologists in this region benefit from the demand placed on specialized imaging within hospitals and outpatient centers, indicating a healthy job market for MRI professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,920 | $37.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,944 | $41.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,308 | $47.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,453 | $47.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,918 | $51.88 |
Median Salary Position
1.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,998 (2026 est.). At $98,308, the local median is 1.97% below the national median of $100,283.
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At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be above the median
How Cincinnati Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $98,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $92,919 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $100,283 | -1.97% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $98,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 5.80% above the Ohio state average of $92,919.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $98,308 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,081 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,350
2025 BLS Actual
$93,600
2026 Current Est.
$98,308
2019–2027 Growth
+48.9%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 35.0% from $69,350 (2019) to $93,600 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,903 (48.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $78,920 – $86,944 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,944 – $98,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,308 – $99,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,453 – $107,918 |
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 Cincinnati
With approximately 490 magnetic resonance imaging technologists currently employed in Cincinnati, the local job market remains dynamic. The region's cost of living index is 95.37, suggesting a more favorable purchasing power relative to the national average. This affordability can make Cincinnati an attractive option for MRI technologists, especially those seeking employment at well-paying institutions such as hospital imaging departments, outpatient MRI centers like RadNet, and orthopedic surgery practices. A variety of factors contribute to salary disparities, including subspecialty areas like cardiac MRI and neuro imaging, along with shift differentials, call coverage, and the growing need for on-site MRI services. Technologists aiming to maximize their salary potential may pursue MRSO certification or consider travel positions, which often come with higher pay scales.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
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 $93,600 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Cincinnati 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