As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an MRI Technologist III in California is $134,102 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.
However, an MRI Technologist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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MRI Technologist III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $145,233 | $12,103 | $2,793 | $70 |
| Average | $134,102 | $11,175 | $2,579 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,363 | $9,947 | $2,295 | $57 |
Providence Health & Services - San Pedro, CA
3B Healthcare, Inc. - Willits, CA
SMI Imaging LLC - Los Gatos, CA
RadNet - Inglewood, CA
An MRI Technologist III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an MRI Technologist III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MRI Technologist I | 0-1 years | $107,380 |
| MRI Technologist II | 1-3 years | $118,023 |
| MRI Technologist III | 3-5 years | $134,102 |
| Chief MRI Technologist | 5+ years | $107,721 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract MRI Technologist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
MRI Technologist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,427. While startup companies pay approximate $121,308.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $121,308 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $128,069 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $137,776 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $142,427 |
For MRI Technologist III roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, MRI Technologist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view MRI Technologist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $154,217 | $74.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an MRI Technologist III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $145,233 | $12,103 | $2,793 | $70 |
| Average | $134,102 | $11,175 | $2,579 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,363 | $9,947 | $2,295 | $57 |
For an MRI Technologist III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chief MRI Technologist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $107,721 - a projected growth of -20% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current MRI Technologist III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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