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

A typical MRI Tech in Louisiana earns about $37.26 per hour, or $77,510 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $6,459 a month and $1,491 a week. Those weekly and monthly numbers give a practical sense of take-home pay beyond the yearly total. Actual pay varies by employer, shift, and years of experience.

That figure sits 19% below the national typical pay of $95,480, and Louisiana ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories on this measure. Lower pay in Louisiana tends to track a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 510 MRI Techs work in Louisiana, a workforce size that puts the state on the smaller end nationally. Pay still varies by city within the state.

Entry-level MRI Techs in Louisiana typically start around $24.44 an hour, or about $50,830 a year, when they begin working in the field. Pay tends to move toward the typical statewide figure of $77,510 within the first few years on the job. New techs often start in smaller facilities or general imaging roles before moving into specialized MRI positions. Certification and clinical experience both play a role in how quickly pay climbs.

Experienced MRI Techs in Louisiana often earn upwards of $86,480 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $99,060. That leaves a spread of $48,230 between entry-level and top-tier pay across the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual tech falls within that range. Techs working in larger metro areas or specialized imaging centers tend to land closer to the top of the scale.

Louisiana MRI Tech pay climbed from $55,280 in 2015 to $77,510 in 2025, a gain of $22,230, or 40%, over the decade. The increase came gradually, with pay rising in most years along the way rather than in a single jump. A brief dip occurred in 2021 before pay resumed climbing through 2025. Overall, pay moved steadily upward over the ten-year span.

Nationally, MRI Tech pay rose 41% over the same decade, putting Louisiana's 40% increase nearly in line with the country as a whole. Someone starting in the field now enters after a decade of rising pay, though future increases are not guaranteed. Pay has moved up over the past ten years, not a promise of what comes next.

Pay runs highest in Baton Rouge, where MRI Techs typically earn $84,280 a year, about 9% above the statewide figure. Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington follow closely, each with typical pay of $81,220 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than just the city center. Pay across the greater Baton Rouge area and the northshore runs above the statewide figure.

The lowest typical pay among Louisiana's cities is in Metairie, at $79,030 a year, putting the city spread at $5,250 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. New Orleans has the largest MRI Tech workforce in the state, with about 130 employed in the role, at the same typical pay as Metairie. Higher-paying cities often carry higher living costs, which can offset the pay difference. Pay differences across Louisiana's cities remain modest.

Louisiana's neighboring states show a mixed picture. Texas pays MRI Techs noticeably more, with typical pay of $96,780 a year, 25% above Louisiana's figure. Mississippi pays less, at $71,710 a year, about 7% below Louisiana. Arkansas is close to Louisiana, at $78,780 a year, just 2% higher. MRI Tech licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, easing a move across state lines.

MRI Techs in Louisiana typically earn $77,510 a year today, up 40% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, with entry-level positions starting lower and experienced techs earning well above the state figure. Readers considering the role can check Louisiana's licensing and registry requirements for specifics on certification, and review city-level pages for local pay figures in places like Baton Rouge and New Orleans.