Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Bellingham, WA: $107,613 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Bellingham, WA earns a median $107,613/year (≈ $51.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $100,198 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists in Bellingham, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $107,613 in 2026, reflecting the strong demand for specialized skills in this field. This market is particularly influenced by the premium associated with cardiac MRI and neuro subspecialties, making Bellingham a competitive landscape for professionals in these areas. With a salary range extending from $74,882 to $148,757, it's evident that advanced expertise can lead to significantly higher earnings. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local cost variations, illustrating the favorable compensation for MRI technologists compared to the national median of $100,283.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,882 | $36.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,791 | $42.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,613 | $51.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,145 | $57.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,757 | $71.51 |
Median Salary Position
7.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,875 (2026 est.). At $107,613, the local median is 7.31% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $107,613/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $107,720 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | +7.31% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $107,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $107,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,613 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,198 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,776
2025 BLS Actual
$102,459
2026 Current Est.
$107,613
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,776 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,149 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,015 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,861 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,893 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,613 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,026 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $78,776 (2019) to $102,459 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,250 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $74,882 – $88,791 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,791 – $107,613 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,613 – $119,145 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,145 – $148,757 |
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 Bellingham
The local job market for magnetic resonance imaging technologists shows strength, with 13 professionals currently employed in Bellingham. The cost-of-living index here stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power is impacted by some local economic factors. Among the top employers, hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers such as RadNet and SimonMed tend to offer the highest pay. Employment at trauma centers often provides lucrative shift differentials, particularly for weekend and night shifts, while travel MRI positions are known for premium pay opportunities. The variation in earnings can largely be attributed to subspecialties and additional certifications like MRSO, which can further enhance one's marketability. To optimize earning potential in Bellingham, MRI technologists should focus on acquiring certifications in growing areas such as cardiac MRI and actively seek employment options offering call coverage incentives and specialized shifts.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Bellingham, WA in 2026?
Is Bellingham, WA a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Bellingham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Bellingham?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Bellingham?
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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 $102,459 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Bellingham 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 Bellingham 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