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

A typical MRI Tech in Mississippi earns about $34.48 per hour ($71,710 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,976 a month and $1,379 a week, figures calculated from the annual median. For someone weighing a move into the field or comparing offers, these numbers set a clear baseline for what to expect in take-home pay before taxes and benefits.

Nationally, MRI Techs earn a median of $95,480 a year, putting Mississippi's typical pay 25% below the national figure. That difference ranks the state 51st out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for MRI Tech pay. About 250 MRI Techs work in Mississippi, compared with 43,390 nationwide.

Entry-level positions in Mississippi typically offer around $26.00 an hour ($54,080 a year) for MRI Techs just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the typical figure of $34.48 an hour within a few years, as new techs take on more complex scans and shifts. Hospitals and imaging centers often tie raises to certification and experience. Starting pay sits well below the typical figure, with room to grow from there.

Experienced MRI Techs in Mississippi often earn upwards of $79,710 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $82,730. That leaves a spread of $28,650 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting plays a role, with hospitals and larger imaging centers often paying more than small clinics, and years of experience and city of employment also factor into where an individual tech lands on that scale.

Mississippi MRI Tech pay has climbed from $57,060 in 2015 to $71,710 in 2025, a gain of $14,650. That's a rise of 26% over the decade. The climb wasn't steady each year; pay dipped slightly in 2021 and again in 2025 after peaking at $72,620 in 2024, but the overall decade trend moved upward.

Nationally, MRI Tech pay rose 41% over the same decade, outpacing Mississippi's 26% gain. Pay in the state has moved up over the past ten years, though slower than the national trend, and past growth doesn't guarantee future raises. Someone starting out now enters a field where pay has trended upward, even though Mississippi's climb has lagged the rest of the country.

Jackson pays the most for MRI Techs in Mississippi, with a typical wage of $76,310 a year ($36.69 an hour), about 6% above the statewide figure of $71,710. That figure covers the full Jackson metro area, not just the city itself. Jackson also has the largest MRI Tech workforce in the state, employing 90 of Mississippi's roughly 250 techs.

Mississippi's wage data lists Jackson as the only metro area with published MRI Tech figures, so pay is fairly uniform across the rest of the state rather than spread across a highest- and lowest-paying city. Cost of living plays a role in how far a paycheck stretches, and Jackson's costs run lower than many larger metro areas. That helps offset some of the pay difference for techs working in and around the city.

Mississippi pays less than each of its bordering states for MRI Techs. Alabama leads the region at $78,890 a year, about 10% above Mississippi's figure, with Arkansas ($78,780) and Tennessee ($78,610) close behind at the same margin. Louisiana pays $77,510, roughly 8% higher than Mississippi. Licensure requirements for MRI Techs can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which is worth checking for anyone considering a move across the border for better pay.

Mississippi MRI Techs typically earn $71,710 a year ($34.48 an hour), a figure that has climbed 26% over the past decade from $57,060 in 2015. Pay in the state runs below the national figure and below every bordering state, though Jackson offers the highest wages within Mississippi. Anyone weighing this career path should check the state's licensing or registry requirements and review city-level pages for more specific local figures before making a decision.