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

A typical MRI Tech in Washington earns about $59.01 per hour ($122,750 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $10,229 a month and $2,361 a week, both figures calculated from the annual number. This is the typical pay point for the occupation across the state, not a starting salary. Actual pay still varies by employer, city, and experience.

Washington's typical pay sits 29% above the national figure of $95,480 a year, and the state ranks third among all 51 states for MRI Tech pay. About 960 MRI Techs work in Washington, a modest workforce compared to some larger states. That combination of high pay and a relatively small workforce is common in higher cost-of-living states on the West Coast.

Entry-level positions in Washington typically offer around $37.67 an hour ($78,350 a year) for MRI Techs just starting out. That's well below the state's typical pay, reflecting the lower rates paid to technologists still building experience and certifications. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $122,750 within the first several years on the job. Extra certifications and cross-training in additional imaging modalities can help pay increase faster.

Experienced MRI Techs in Washington often earn upwards of $64.16 an hour ($133,450 a year) or more. The top 10% of earners make over $160,320 a year, well above the entry-level range. That leaves a spread of $81,970 between entry-level and top-tier pay across the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual technologist lands within that range.

Washington's typical MRI Tech pay rose from $79,860 in 2015 to $122,750 in 2025, a gain of $42,890 over the decade. That amounts to a 54% increase, tracking steady growth year after year rather than a single sharp jump. Pay rose in every year of that decade, according to the trend data, with no year showing a decline.

That 54% rise outpaces the 41% increase seen nationally for MRI Techs over the same ten years. Washington pay has grown faster than the national rate, though both reflect the same general trend across the profession. For someone starting an MRI Tech career in Washington now, recent history shows pay has moved up consistently, though future years are not guaranteed to follow the same path.

MRI Tech pay runs highest in the Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma metro areas, where the typical wage reaches $130,460 a year ($62.72 an hour), about 6% above the statewide figure. These figures cover each city's full metro area rather than the city alone. Pay in the Vancouver and Hillsboro area follows close behind at $120,650 a year, and the Olympia area, including Lacey and Tumwater, comes in at $119,310.

Yakima has the lowest typical MRI Tech pay in the state, at $104,390 a year, a spread of $26,070 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Seattle also has the largest MRI Tech workforce among the state's cities, with 460 employed there. That gap generally tracks the difference in living costs between the Seattle area and smaller cities like Yakima, so higher pay in Seattle doesn't necessarily stretch further.

Washington's typical MRI Tech pay is close to Oregon's $121,920 a year (1% lower) and Alaska's $120,610 (2% lower), but well above Idaho's $101,680, which runs 17% below Washington's figure. Idaho stands out as the clear outlier among the three neighbors. Licensure requirements differ by state, but MRI Tech certification and licensing can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

MRI Techs in Washington typically earn $122,750 a year ($59.01 an hour), a figure that has climbed 54% over the past decade. For specific licensing or registry requirements, check Washington's state licensing board page; for pay in a particular city, the city-level pages on this site break down figures for Seattle, Spokane, and other metro areas. Together, these resources offer a fuller picture beyond the statewide figure.