A technician specializing in magnetic resonance imaging operates scanning equipment that produces high-quality images of interior body structures. Doctors use these images to diagnose, interpret and treat health disorders. During the scanning process, the MRI tech monitors the patient's safety and comfort while viewing the images to verify quality. MRI tech salaries in Missouri vary by location.
Nationwide Data
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes all radiologic technicians and technologists, such as those specializing in MRI, computed tomography or standard X-rays, in its salary figures for this occupation. The nationwide median salary for these healthcare workers in 2009 was $25.59 per hour, or $53,240 per year. For MRI techs in particular, the nationwide median salary as of March 2011 was $64,616 per year, according to Salary.com. The middle 50 percent of MRI technologists earn $59,110 to $70,032 per year. The top 10 percent have annual salaries of $74,963 and above, and the bottom 10 percent $54,098 and lower.
Missouri Radiologic Technicians
Including all types of radiologic technicians, the median salary in Missouri in 2009 was $23.46 per hour, translating to about $48,800 per year, according to the BLS. The middle 50 percent of Missouri radiologic technicians were earning $19.32 to $28.01 per hour, or $40,190 to $58,250 per year. The bottom 10 percent had annual salaries of $33,160 and below, and the top 10 percent $66,880 and higher.
Geography
Location matters when it comes to MRI tech salaries in Missouri, shows Salary.com. The median pay rate is highest in the state's largest city, St. Louis, at $64,229 per year as of March 2011. In contrast, the median salary for MRI techs in Joplin is $51,086. MRI technologists in Springfield have a median wage of $58,155 per year, in Jefferson City $59,059, in Hannibal $59,544 and in St. Joseph $60,544.
MRI Tech Salary Range
The lowest MRI tech salaries in this group of Missouri cities were in Joplin, where the bottom 10 percent were earning $42,770 per year and less. The highest salaries were in St. Louis, where the top 10 percent were earning $74,514 and higher. For a more representative view of Missouri as a whole, you might look at the cities with salaries between those two extremes. The bottom 10 percent there were earning $48,688 and less, the middle 50 percent $53,199 to $65,619, and the top 10 percent $70,239 and higher.
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