Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in El Paso, TX: $82,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in El Paso, TX earns a median $82,354/year (≈ $39.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in El Paso's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.9), that paycheck buys what $91,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For magnetic resonance imaging technologists in El Paso, Texas, 2026 estimates show a median annual salary of $82,354, indicating a competitive pay scale in the region despite being 17.88% lower than the national median of $100,283. The salary range spans from $70,307 at the 10th percentile to $104,022 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and experience within the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the influence of factors like shift differentials and on-call coverage, which can significantly elevate earnings, particularly for those working irregular hours or in high-demand environments. As the demand for specialized MRI services grows, the landscape for technologists in El Paso remains promising.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,307 | $33.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,894 | $38.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,354 | $39.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,489 | $46.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,022 | $50.00 |
Median Salary Position
17.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Paso
In El Paso, TX, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,715 (2026 est.). At $82,354, the local median is 17.88% below the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Paso: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Paso Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
El Paso median: $82,354/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Paso Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $94,660 | -13.00% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | -17.88% less |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in El Paso, TX earn a median of $82,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.88% lower than the national median of $100,283 and 13.00% below the Texas state average of $94,660.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Paso has a cost of living 10.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Paso, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.912 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $82,354 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,594 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.22% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$74,640
2025 BLS Actual
$78,410
2026 Current Est.
$82,354
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Paso metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 5.1% from $74,640 (2019) to $78,410 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,856 (15.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Paso 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) | $70,307 – $80,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,894 – $82,354 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,354 – $97,489 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,489 – $104,022 |
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 El Paso
In considering the local job market, 70 magnetic resonance imaging technologists currently employed in El Paso contribute to a stable workforce, where the cost of living index sits at 89.912, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. This reality enhances the take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient MRI centers, including RadNet and SimonMed, tend to offer higher salaries. The gap between lower and upper-tier salaries can often be attributed to subspecialties like cardiac MRI commanding a premium, as well as the influence of shift differentials for nights and weekends, call coverage in trauma settings, and travel MRI tech opportunities. For those looking to maximize their magnetic resonance imaging technologist pay in El Paso, pursuing certifications such as MRSO or specializing in high-demand areas could yield substantial benefits in compensation.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in El Paso, TX in 2026?
Is El Paso, TX a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in El Paso?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in El Paso?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in El Paso?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $78,410 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the El Paso 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