PayByState

Kentucky · BLS SOC 29-2035

MRI Technologist salary in Kentucky

Median $75,120 · Top 10% earn $87,940+ · Roughly 652 workers in Kentucky. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Kentucky median
$75,120
$36.12/hr
Top 10%
$87,940
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$51,770
Entry-level range
Real pay
$85,364
CoL-adjusted (RPP 88.0)

Kentucky pays modestly below the U.S. median for mri technologists — $75,120 versus the national median of $84,400. Kentucky's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $964 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 652 mri technologists.

What drives mri technologist pay in Kentucky

Kentucky pays close to the U.S. median for mri technologists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Kentucky ranks #46 of 50 states

Where Kentucky sits in the national distribution for mri technologist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Kentucky
#43 Tennessee $76,800 +$1,680
#42 Idaho $76,800 +$1,680
#41 Missouri $76,800 +$1,680
#46 Kentucky (this page) $75,120 —
#47 Louisiana $74,270 −$850
#48 Alabama $72,580 −$2,540
#49 West Virginia $72,580 −$2,540
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Kentucky

The typical path is a associate degree + arrt(r) + arrt(mr) post-primary certification, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $6,000 (community college) to $42,000 (private accelerated). On the Kentucky median of $75,120, payback periods are typically 1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the MRI Technologist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Kentucky selected.

MRI Technologist salary in Kentucky — FAQ

What is the average mri technologist salary in Kentucky?
The median mri technologist salary in Kentucky is $75,120 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $51,770; the top 10% earn $87,940 or more. About 652 people work in this role across the state.
How does Kentucky mri technologist pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky's median of $75,120 is $9,280 below the U.S. national median of $84,400. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 88.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $85,364.
Is mri technologist a good career in Kentucky?
On the data: Kentucky employs roughly 652 mri technologists, with a median wage of $75,120 and the top decile clearing $87,940. The role is projected to grow +6% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for mri technologists in Kentucky?
At the Kentucky median of $75,120 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $36.12/hr. The top 10% earn around $42.28/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $24.89/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Kentucky-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-2035: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Kentucky's RPP is 88.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.