MRI Tech Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) MRI tech in the US earns $45.91 an hour, or $95,480 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 43,390 jobs (May 2025, occupation: MRI technologists). The middle half earn between $81,040 and $106,340 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $127,670.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $76,000 a year ($6,333 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in Washington ($93,456 a year) and lowest in Mississippi ($57,153).
Not quite your job? See radiology tech salary (median $80,110 a year).
MRI Tech pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $33.12 | $68,890 | $57,294 |
| 25th percentile | $38.96 | $81,040 | $65,841 |
| Median (half earn more) | $45.91 | $95,480 | $76,000 |
| 75th percentile | $51.12 | $106,340 | $83,640 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $61.38 | $127,670 | $98,529 |
The average (mean) is $96,120 a year ($46.21 an hour), above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 29-2035. Source
MRI Tech salary by state
The highest median pay for MRI techs is in District of Columbia ($128,710), California ($124,010), Washington ($122,740), Oregon ($121,930), Alaska ($120,620). The lowest is in Mississippi ($71,720), South Dakota ($77,020), Louisiana ($77,500).
The most MRI techs work in California (3,570), New York (3,240), Texas (2,930).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in Washington ($93,456), Alaska ($93,083), California ($86,398), Hawaii ($84,871), Oregon ($84,423). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet).
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37.93 | $78,890 | $61,051 | 490 |
| Alaska | $57.99 | $120,620 | $93,083 | 100 |
| Arizona | $48.37 | $100,610 | $77,597 | 730 |
| Arkansas | $37.88 | $78,790 | $61,830 | 380 |
| California | $59.62 | $124,010 | $86,398 | 3,570 |
| Colorado | $50.66 | $105,370 | $78,100 | 670 |
| Connecticut | $51.12 | $106,330 | $77,697 | 450 |
| Delaware | $49.77 | $103,520 | $75,751 | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $61.88 | $128,710 | $99,239* | 150 |
| Florida | $40.55 | $84,340 | $68,163 | 2,860 |
| Georgia | $44.26 | $92,060 | $69,749 | 1,800 |
| Hawaii | $57.39 | $119,370 | $84,871 | 140 |
| Idaho | $48.88 | $101,670 | $75,831 | 170 |
| Illinois | $45.86 | $95,390 | $71,360 | 2,760 |
| Indiana | $41.77 | $86,880 | $65,682 | 1,030 |
| Iowa | $39.14 | $81,410 | $63,542 | 220 |
| Kansas | $39.75 | $82,680 | $63,181 | 330 |
| Kentucky | $39.52 | $82,200 | $63,898 | 650 |
| Louisiana | $37.26 | $77,500 | $61,355 | 510 |
| Maine | $45.26 | $94,140 | $69,673 | 210 |
| Maryland | $50.59 | $105,230 | $75,018 | 770 |
| Massachusetts | $53.17 | $110,590 | $81,234 | 1,490 |
| Michigan | $40.68 | $84,610 | $65,008 | 1,270 |
| Minnesota | $48.51 | $100,900 | $73,311 | 710 |
| Mississippi | $34.48 | $71,720 | $57,153 | 250 |
| Missouri | $39.96 | $83,120 | $64,341 | 1,040 |
| Montana | $41.80 | $86,940 | $66,430 | 150 |
| Nebraska | $39.77 | $82,720 | $63,876 | 290 |
| Nevada | $47.24 | $98,260 | $77,956 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $50.68 | $105,410 | $82,986 | 270 |
| New Jersey | $49.96 | $103,920 | $76,098 | 1,250 |
| New Mexico | $42.24 | $87,860 | $67,270 | 140 |
| New York | $54.46 | $113,280 | $82,220 | 3,240 |
| North Carolina | $40.93 | $85,130 | $65,755 | 1,180 |
| North Dakota | $38.76 | $80,620 | $65,104 | 70 |
| Ohio | $42.15 | $87,670 | $68,266 | 1,840 |
| Oklahoma | $42.06 | $87,480 | $66,992 | 400 |
| Oregon | $58.62 | $121,930 | $84,423 | 510 |
| Pennsylvania | $43.81 | $91,120 | $70,072 | 2,250 |
| Rhode Island | $50.51 | $105,060 | $77,462 | 140 |
| South Carolina | $40.17 | $83,550 | $64,000 | 730 |
| South Dakota | $37.03 | $77,020 | $63,014 | 210 |
| Tennessee | $37.79 | $78,600 | $64,125 | 1,350 |
| Texas | $46.53 | $96,780 | $76,915 | 2,930 |
| Utah | $43.82 | $91,150 | $68,898 | 300 |
| Vermont | $49.55 | $103,060 | $76,682 | 60 |
| Virginia | $47.42 | $98,630 | $73,359 | 1,070 |
| Washington | $59.01 | $122,740 | $93,456 | 960 |
| West Virginia | $38.70 | $80,500 | $62,664 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $45.54 | $94,720 | $70,774 | 530 |
| Wyoming | $44.24 | $92,020 | $73,566 | 70 |
Overtime and pay rules for MRI techs
MRI techs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. Hospitals and residential care facilities may instead use the "8 and 80" system: overtime after 8 hours in a day or 80 hours in a fixed 14-day period, agreed with the employee in advance. Source The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not. Source Estimate your deduction.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on an MRI tech's pay
On the median $95,480, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 20.4% of pay for a single filer: $12,176 of income tax and $7,304 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $79,380, so the top federal rate is 22%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 29.65% before state tax: 22% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($4,774 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $1,050, so it costs about $3,724 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed MRI techs are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | $47.16 |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Ultrasound Tech (Sonographer) | $96,590 | $46.44 |
| Lineman (Power Line Worker) | $95,320 | $45.83 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $45 an hour is how much a year.
MRI Tech salary questions
How much does an MRI tech make?
The median pay is $45.91 an hour, or $95,480 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $68,890 and the top 10% more than $127,670.
How much does an MRI tech make after taxes?
About $76,000 a year, or $2,923 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Mississippi, at that state's own median pay, it is about $57,153.
How much does an MRI tech make a month?
About $7,957 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $6,333 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays MRI techs the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $128,710 a year ($61.88 an hour). Next are California ($124,010) and Washington ($122,740). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in Washington.
How much does an MRI tech make an hour?
The median is $45.91 an hour. The middle half earn $38.96 to $51.12, and the top 10% more than $61.38.
Do MRI techs get paid overtime?
MRI techs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. Hospitals and residential care facilities may instead use the "8 and 80" system: overtime after 8 hours in a day or 80 hours in a fixed 14-day period, agreed with the employee in advance. The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not.
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All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.