How Much Does an MRI Tech Make in Arizona in 2026?

A typical MRI Tech in Arizona earns about $48.37 per hour ($100,600 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,383 a month or $1,935 a week, both figures calculated from the annual number. This is the pay a typical MRI Tech can expect across the state, before accounting for city or experience differences.

Arizona's typical pay runs 5% above the national figure of $95,480 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. That places Arizona 19th among the 51 states and territories ranked for this occupation. About 730 MRI Techs work in Arizona, compared with 43,390 nationwide.

Entry-level positions in Arizona typically offer around $39.12 an hour, or about $81,380 a year, based on the lowest reported wages for the role. Some newly credentialed techs start closer to $83,770 a year. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $100,600 within the first few years on the job, as techs gain experience and take on more complex scans.

Experienced MRI Techs in Arizona often earn upwards of $106,120 a year, and the top 10% make over $123,040. That leaves a spread of $41,660 between entry-level and top-tier pay. The difference usually comes down to years of experience, the type of facility, and which city a tech works in, with hospitals and larger metro areas typically paying more.

Arizona's typical MRI Tech pay climbed from $73,760 in 2015 to $100,600 in 2025, according to a decade of government wage data. That is a gain of $26,840, or 36%, over ten years. The increase was not steady every year; pay dipped slightly in 2020 before resuming its climb.

Nationally, typical MRI Tech pay rose 41% over the same decade, a faster pace than Arizona's climb. Arizona's pay has still moved up substantially, and someone starting out today enters at a higher baseline than techs did ten years ago. Past growth does not guarantee future increases.

Pay runs highest in Tucson, where MRI Techs typically earn $106,120 a year, about 5% above the statewide figure. Phoenix, Mesa, and Chandler all report typical pay of $97,940 a year, reflecting figures for the greater Phoenix metro area. Tucson's smaller workforce of 80 MRI Techs still commands the top pay in the state.

Chandler reports the lowest typical pay among Arizona's tracked cities, at $97,940 a year, tied with Phoenix and Mesa since all three share the same metro-area figures. The spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities is $8,180. Phoenix carries the largest MRI Tech workforce in the state, with 580 employed. Local living costs often explain part of the gap between cities.

Arizona's neighbors show a wide range. California pays the most, with typical MRI Tech pay of $124,000 a year, 23% above Arizona's figure. Colorado runs close behind at $105,380, about 5% higher. Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico all pay somewhat less, with New Mexico trailing by 13% less, at $87,850. MRI Tech licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, easing a move across state lines.

Arizona's typical MRI Tech now earns $100,600 a year, up 36% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience, with Tucson leading and entry-level techs starting closer to $81,380. Readers considering the role should check Arizona's licensing and registry requirements before applying, and compare city-level pay pages for a clearer picture of local earning potential across the state.