Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Houston, TX: $107,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Houston, TX earns a median $107,729/year (≈ $51.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $109,226 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.8% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the projected annual salary for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Houston, TX, is $107,729, which exceeds the national median salary by 7.42%. This attractive compensation reflects the specialized skills required in the field, particularly in cardiac MRI and neuro subspecialties, which command a premium within the local market. The salary range is quite varied, from $84,623 at the lower tenth percentile to $119,986 at the upper ninetieth percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities and compensation packages available to MRI technologists. These projections are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a healthy employment landscape for this profession in Houston.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,623 | $40.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,071 | $46.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,729 | $51.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,506 | $54.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,986 | $57.68 |
Median Salary Position
7.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,363 (2026 est.). At $107,729, the local median is 7.42% above the national median of $100,283.
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At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be above the median
How Houston Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Houston median: $107,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $94,665 | +13.80% more |
| National Average | $100,283 | +7.42% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Houston, TX earn a median of $107,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.42% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 13.80% above the Texas state average of $94,665.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earning $107,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,226 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,861
2025 BLS Actual
$102,570
2026 Current Est.
$107,729
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,148 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $78,861 (2019) to $102,570 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,148 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,287 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $84,623 – $96,071 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,071 – $107,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,729 – $113,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,506 – $119,986 |
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 Houston
With 820 magnetic resonance imaging technologists currently employed in Houston, the job market remains robust, especially for those in specialized roles. The cost of living index in Houston stands at 98.629, slightly below the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of technologists in the area. Top-paying employers include hospital imaging departments, outpatient MRI centers, and mobile MRI companies, each offering varied hourly rates based on specialization and work shifts. Factors driving salary differences include the specific subspecialty of MRI (cardiac being the highest), shift differentials for nights and weekends, and call coverage at trauma centers. To maximize pay in this competitive market, MRI technologists should consider pursuing additional certifications like MRSO, seek positions in high-demand areas, and be open to travel positions that typically offer increased pay.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 $102,570 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Houston 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, 6-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