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

A typical MRI Tech in Iowa earns about $39.14 per hour, or roughly $81,420 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to close to $6,785 a month, or about $1,566 a week, calculated from the annual figure. For someone weighing a move to Iowa or into this field locally, that's the baseline figure to plan around.

Iowa's typical pay sits about 15% below the national figure of $95,480 a year, placing the state 43rd out of 51 states and territories tracked for this occupation. Roughly 220 MRI Techs work in Iowa, a modest workforce that keeps the local pay picture close-knit. Lower pay in Iowa tends to track the state's lower cost of living compared with higher-cost coastal markets.

Entry-level positions in Iowa typically offer around $30.91 an hour, or about $64,290 a year, for MRI Techs just starting out. Pay generally moves toward the state's typical figure of $81,420 within the first few years on the job. New graduates and techs early in their careers should expect to start near the lower end of this range before advancing.

Experienced MRI Techs in Iowa often earn upwards of $44.06 an hour, or about $91,640 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $98,780 a year, a spread of $34,490 between entry-level and top pay. That gap usually reflects years of experience, the type of facility, and which Iowa city a tech works in.

Iowa's typical MRI Tech pay has risen steadily over the past decade, climbing from $58,660 in 2015 to $81,420 in 2025. That's a gain of $22,760, or 39%, over ten years. The increase wasn't perfectly smooth: pay dipped slightly in 2017 and again in 2022 before continuing upward.

Nationally, MRI Tech pay rose 41% over the same period, just ahead of Iowa's 39% climb. The two trends have tracked closely. For someone starting an MRI Tech career in Iowa now, pay has moved up steadily over the past ten years, though nothing guarantees that trend will continue at the same pace.

Pay runs highest in the Des Moines metro area, where MRI Techs typically earn $85,070 a year, about 4% above the state figure. West Des Moines, part of the same metro area, matches that figure. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits.

Davenport pays the least among Iowa's tracked cities, with MRI Techs there typically earning $78,350 a year, a spread of $6,720 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Des Moines also has the largest MRI Tech workforce in the state, with about 60 employed there. The pay difference across cities generally lines up with differences in local living costs.

Iowa's neighbors mostly pay more for MRI Techs. Minnesota pays the most at $100,900 a year, 24% above Iowa, followed by Illinois at $95,380 (17% higher) and Wisconsin at $94,720 (16% higher). Missouri and Nebraska run closer to Iowa's figure, each about 2% higher, while South Dakota pays less, at $77,010 (5% below Iowa). Licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, worth checking before relocating for a nearby position.

MRI Techs in Iowa typically earn $81,420 a year, up 39% over the past decade from $58,660 in 2015. Pay varies somewhat by city and experience level, with Des Moines paying the most and entry-level positions starting closer to $64,290. Readers considering this career in Iowa should check the state's licensing or registry requirements and review city-level pages for local figures before making a decision.