Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Salary in Burien, WA: $107,203 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time magnetic resonance imaging technologist in Burien, WA earns a median $107,203/year (≈ $51.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2035). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $99,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, WA, the projected median annual salary for magnetic resonance imaging technologists is $107,203 for 2026, which reflects a competitive edge over the national average of $100,283. This local salary range spans from $79,825 at the lower end (P10) to $147,368 for those at the higher end (P90), influenced by the local demand for specialized skills such as cardiac MRI and neuro subspecialties. With estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, the robust compensation in Burien presents an attractive opportunity for MRI technologists looking to capitalize on this growing field, especially as advanced imaging techniques become ever more prevalent in medical practice.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,825 | $38.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,045 | $44.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,203 | $51.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,283 | $58.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,368 | $70.85 |
Median Salary Position
6.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,543 (2026 est.). At $107,203, the local median is 6.9% above the national median of $100,283.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Pay Compares
Burien median: $107,203/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $107,742 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $100,283 | +6.90% more |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Burien, WA earn a median of $107,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% higher than the national median of $100,283 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $107,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,203 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,817 — a 6.89% reduction.
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
$78,476
2025 BLS Actual
$102,069
2026 Current Est.
$107,203
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,476 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,844 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,699 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,617 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,519 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,452 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,069 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,203 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,595 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary grew 30.1% from $78,476 (2019) to $102,069 (2025). At a 5.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,595 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,119 (43.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $79,825 – $92,045 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,045 – $107,203 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,203 – $122,283 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,283 – $147,368 |
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 Burien
Currently, Burien employs eight magnetic resonance imaging technologists, indicating a niche job market that can be leveraged for competitive pay. The city’s cost of living index stands at 107.4, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the purchasing power for residents is somewhat constrained by local expenses. Facilities such as hospital imaging departments and specialized outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed generally offer the most competitive wages. Factors influencing the salary range include subspecialties, with cardiac MRI demanding higher compensation than general MRI roles, as well as variation due to shift differentials and call duties. Strategies for maximizing earnings in Burien's competitive market include pursuing MRSO certification, considering travel MRI opportunities, and seeking positions in teams that cover trauma or specialized outpatient services.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make in Burien, WA in 2026?
Is Burien, WA a good place to work as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist?
Can magnetic resonance imaging technologists make $100K in Burien?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted magnetic resonance imaging technologist salary in Burien?
How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologist make per hour in Burien?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $102,069 for magnetic resonance imaging technologistsin the Burien 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 Burien 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