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

A typical MRI Tech in Virginia earns about $47.42 per hour, or $98,640 per year, per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Spread across the year, that comes to roughly $8,220 a month or $1,897 a week, calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city, employer, and experience, but this is the typical figure for the state as a whole.

Virginia pay sits 3% above the national figure of $95,480 a year, a modest but consistent gap. Among all states and D.C., Virginia ranks 20th out of 51 for MRI Tech pay. About 1,070 MRI Techs work in the state, compared with 43,390 nationwide, a workforce size that puts Virginia's numbers on a smaller but still meaningful scale.

Entry-level MRI Tech positions in Virginia typically offer around $78,400 a year ($37.69 an hour) to start. Pay tends to move up from there within the first few years on the job, as new techs build hands-on experience and take on more complex scans. By the time a tech reaches the state's typical pay, they are earning close to $98,640 a year.

Experienced MRI Techs in Virginia often earn upwards of $108,350 a year, and the top 10% make over $121,940. That leaves a spread of $43,540 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting matters too: hospitals, imaging centers, and specialty clinics all pay differently, and pay in Arlington tends to run higher than in smaller cities. Years of experience and location together explain most of that gap.

Virginia MRI Tech pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $68,670 in 2015 to $98,640 in 2025. That's a gain of $29,970, or 44%, over ten years. The increase wasn't perfectly even year to year, but the direction has been consistently upward, with the sharpest jump coming between 2023 and 2024.

Nationally, MRI Tech pay rose 41% over the same decade, so Virginia's growth has outpaced the national trend by a few points. Both figures point in the same direction: pay for this role has been rising steadily across the country. For someone starting an MRI Tech career in Virginia now, this history shows pay has moved up meaningfully over time, though it makes no promises about future years.

Pay runs highest in Arlington, where MRI Techs typically earn $109,110 a year ($52.46 an hour), about 11% above the statewide figure. These figures reflect the Arlington metro area as a whole, not just the city itself. Richmond follows at $98,680 a year, close to the state figure, and Virginia Beach comes in at $95,950.

Pay runs lowest in Bristol, where MRI Techs typically earn $74,910 a year, a spread of $34,200 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Arlington also has the largest MRI Tech workforce among Virginia's cities, with 810 workers. Much of that spread tracks cost of living, since areas with higher expenses tend to pay more to match.

Virginia's MRI Tech pay lands in the middle of its neighbors. The District of Columbia pays noticeably more, with MRI Techs there earning $128,710 a year, about 30% above Virginia's figure, and Maryland runs 7% higher at $105,230. North Carolina ($85,120), Kentucky ($82,200), West Virginia ($80,490), and Tennessee ($78,610) all pay less, with Tennessee running about 20% behind Virginia. Licensing in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby state, making it easier to compare offers across the region.

MRI Techs in Virginia typically earn $98,640 a year, up 44% over the past decade from $68,670 in 2015. Pay is close to the national figure and varies by city, with Arlington paying the most and Bristol the least. Anyone considering the field in Virginia should check the state licensing or registry page for requirements, and the city pages for local figures before making a decision.