How Much Does an MRI Tech Make in Alabama in 2026?
Typical pay for MRI Techs in Alabama, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Alabama · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical MRI Tech in Alabama earns about $37.93 per hour ($78,890 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That comes to roughly $6,574 a month and $1,517 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay for the role varies by city, employer, and years of experience.
Nationally, MRI Techs earn a typical $45.91 an hour ($95,480 a year), which puts Alabama's pay 17% below the national figure. That gap places Alabama 46th out of 51 states and territories ranked for MRI Tech pay. Lower pay in Alabama tracks its lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 490 MRI Techs work in Alabama, a small workforce next to the 43,390 nationwide.
MRI Tech pay in Alabama at a glance
- MRI Techs in Alabama typically earn $37.93 an hour ($78,890 a year), according to May 2025 government wage data.
- Alabama pay runs 17% below the national figure, ranking 46th out of 51 states and territories.
- Birmingham pays the most in the state, where MRI Techs typically make $84,290 a year.
- Entry-level pay starts around $60,560 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $96,880 a year.
- Alabama's typical MRI Tech pay has climbed 33% over the past decade, rising from $59,420 in 2015.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MRI Tech make in Alabama?
MRI Tech pay by career stage in Alabama
| Career stage | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $60,560$29.11 an hour | $68,890$33.12 an hour |
| First years | $68,580$32.97 an hour | $81,040$38.96 an hour |
| Typical MRI Tech | $78,890$37.93 an hour | $95,480$45.91 an hour |
| Experienced | $85,750$41.22 an hour | $106,340$51.12 an hour |
| Top 10% | $96,880$46.58 an hour | $127,670$61.38 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
MRI Tech pay by experience level in Alabama
Entry-level MRI Techs in Alabama typically start around $29.11 an hour ($60,560 a year), based on the lowest 10% of reported wages. This range covers technologists who are newly certified or new to the state. Pay tends to move toward the $37.93 typical rate within the first few years on the job. Additional certifications and experience with more advanced imaging equipment tend to speed that climb.
Experienced MRI Techs in Alabama often earn upwards of $41.22 an hour ($85,750 a year), and the top 10% make over $96,880 a year ($46.58 an hour). That leaves a $36,320 spread between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years on the job, and city all play a part in where an individual technologist lands within that range.
MRI Tech pay growth in Alabama
Typical (median) annual wage for MRI Techs in Alabama · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Alabama's typical MRI Tech pay has risen from $59,420 in 2015 to $78,890 in 2025, a gain of $19,470. That amounts to a 33% rise over the decade. The increase has been steady rather than sudden, with the sharpest jumps coming in 2022 and 2023.
Nationally, MRI Tech pay rose 41% over the same decade, faster than Alabama's climb. Pay for MRI Techs in Alabama has moved up substantially over the past ten years, though nothing is guaranteed for years ahead. Someone starting out today enters a role that has seen real gains in take-home pay.
MRI Tech salary by city in Alabama
Pay runs highest in Birmingham, where MRI Techs typically make $84,290 a year, about 7% above the statewide figure. Huntsville follows closely, with typical pay of $81,270 a year for its 110 MRI Techs. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than city limits alone.
Mobile pays the least among Alabama's three metro areas, with MRI Techs there typically earning $73,190 a year, an $11,100 spread from Birmingham. Birmingham also has the largest MRI Tech workforce in the state, with about 150 employed there. Lower pay in Mobile tracks its lower cost of living relative to Birmingham and Huntsville.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Alabama | MRI Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $84,290 | $40.52 | +7% | 150 |
| 2 | Huntsville | $81,270 | $39.07 | +3% | 110 |
| 3 | Mobile | $73,190 | $35.19 | -7% | 70 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Alabama typical pay $78,890
How Alabama compares with nearby states
Among Alabama's neighbors, Georgia pays MRI Techs the most, with typical pay of $92,060 a year, 17% higher than Alabama. Mississippi pays less, at $71,710 a year, 9% below Alabama. Florida runs 7% higher at $84,330, and Tennessee sits about even at $78,610. MRI Tech licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, easing a move across state lines.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $78,890 | baseline |
| Georgia | $92,060 | +17% |
| Florida | $84,330 | +7% |
| Tennessee | $78,610 | 0% |
| Mississippi | $71,710 | -9% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical MRI Tech pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Alabama a good state for MRI Techs?
MRI Techs in Alabama earn less than in most states: typical pay is $78,890 a year, 17% below the national figure, ranking 46th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Alabama, about 0.2 are MRI Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.3. That makes MRI Techs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates. On pay alone, Alabama ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 33% over the past decade.
Summary
Alabama's MRI Techs typically earn $78,890 a year today, up 33% over the past decade. That growth has been steady, even though the state's pay still trails the national figure. Readers weighing the role in Alabama can check the state licensing and registry requirements page for what's needed to work here, and the city pages for local pay figures in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MRI Tech make in Alabama?
- MRI Techs in Alabama typically earn $37.93 an hour, or $78,890 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. Pay ranges from around $60,560 for entry-level positions up to over $96,880 for the top 10% of earners, depending on experience, employer, and city.
- How much does an MRI Tech make an hour in Alabama?
- The typical hourly rate for an MRI Tech in Alabama is $37.93, based on May 2025 wage data. Hourly pay ranges from about $29.11 for entry-level positions to over $46.58 for the top 10% of earners statewide.
- What is the starting pay for an MRI Tech in Alabama?
- Entry-level MRI Techs in Alabama typically start around $29.11 an hour, or about $60,560 a year, based on the lowest 10% of reported wages. Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical rate of $78,890 a year within the first few years of experience.
- Which city in Alabama pays MRI Techs the most?
- Birmingham pays MRI Techs the most in Alabama, with typical pay of $84,290 a year, about 7% above the statewide figure. Huntsville follows at $81,270 a year, while Mobile pays the least among the state's three metro areas, at $73,190 a year.
- Is MRI Tech pay in Alabama higher than the national rate?
- No. MRI Tech pay in Alabama runs about 17% below the national typical rate of $95,480 a year, with Alabama's figure at $78,890. That places Alabama 46th out of 51 states and territories ranked for MRI Tech pay, tracking the state's lower cost of living.