How much do MRI technologists make in Illinois? The median annual salary is $87,630, which is $550 below the national median of $88,180. Illinois MRI techs earn a median hourly wage of $42.13.
This guide breaks down MRI technologist salary in Illinois by metro area using Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2024), adds cost-of-living context, and covers how to start your career in the state.
Illinois salary overview
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 90th (top earners) | $104,890 | $50.43/hr |
| 75th | $100,260 | $48.2/hr |
| Median (50th) | $87,630 | $42.13/hr |
| 25th | $79,990 | $38.46/hr |
| 10th (entry level) | $70,910 | $34.09/hr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 (SOC 29-2035).
Salary by metro area
| Metro Area | Median Salary | Hourly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $97,110 | $46.69/hr | By far the highest paying IL metro; includes NW Indiana suburbs |
| Peoria | $87,160 | $41.91/hr | OSF HealthCare and UnityPoint Health |
| Rockford | $85,060 | $40.9/hr | Northern IL market |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $81,510 | $39.19/hr | Metro East IL side of the cross-border metro |
| Springfield | $80,570 | $38.73/hr | State capital; HSHS and Memorial Health |
Highest paying: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin leads at $97,110 median. Lowest paying: Springfield at $80,570.
Cost of living and take-home pay
Illinois’s cost of living index is 96 (national average = 100). This means everyday expenses are 4% below the national average, stretching your salary further.
State income tax: 4.95% flat rate.
| Factor | Illinois | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median MRI tech salary | $87,630 | $88,180 |
| Cost of living index | 96 | 100 |
| State income tax | 4.95% | Varies |
The Chicago metro area offers what may be one of the best salary-to-cost-of-living ratios among major US cities for MRI technologists. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro median of $97,110 is 10% above the national median, while Chicago’s cost of living runs only about 7% above the national average. Compare that to Los Angeles (salaries 15% above national, costs 45% above), San Francisco (salaries 25% above, costs 80% above), or Boston (salaries 20% above, costs 50% above). In practical terms, an MRI tech in Chicago retains significantly more purchasing power than peers in most other large metro areas. Outside Chicago, downstate Illinois cities like Peoria, Springfield, and Rockford offer salaries near the state median with cost-of-living indexes in the low 80s—excellent value for technologists who prefer smaller communities.
Illinois uses a flat 4.95% state income tax, which means your rate stays the same regardless of income level. At the statewide median of $87,630, that translates to approximately $4,338 in state tax. There is no local income tax in Illinois, which is a meaningful advantage over states like Ohio and Michigan where city-level taxes can add 1–2.5%.
Job market and demand
Chicago dominates Illinois employment, with Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, and Rush University Medical Center among the largest employers. Downstate markets are smaller but competition for positions is also lower, and some rural facilities offer signing bonuses or relocation stipends to attract credentialed MRI techs.
Illinois employs approximately 3,900 MRI technologists, making it one of the top 10 states by total MRI tech employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% national employment growth for MRI technologists through 2033, and Illinois follows this trend. The state’s diverse healthcare landscape—ranging from world-class academic medical centers to critical-access rural hospitals—means opportunities exist at every experience level. Travel MRI assignments in the Chicago area pay among the highest rates in the Midwest, typically $2,400–$3,000 per week.
Employer landscape
Illinois benefits from an unusually deep concentration of nationally ranked health systems, most headquartered in or around Chicago.
Northwestern Medicine is one of the top-ranked academic health systems in the country, anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. MRI techs at Northwestern work with the latest imaging technology, including 3T scanners and advanced cardiac and neuro protocols used in clinical research. The academic environment means regular exposure to cutting-edge sequences and the opportunity to participate in research studies. Northwestern offers competitive salaries at or above the Chicago metro median, comprehensive benefits, and strong continuing education support.
Advocate Aurora Health is the largest health system in Illinois by number of facilities, operating 27 hospitals across the Chicago metro and northern Illinois. The sheer scale of Advocate Aurora means frequent openings for MRI techs and an extensive internal transfer network. Techs can move between urban, suburban, and exurban locations without changing employers. The system offers shift differentials, sign-on bonuses at high-need sites, and tuition reimbursement for advanced certifications.
Rush University Medical Center is located in Chicago’s Illinois Medical District and is consistently ranked among the nation’s best hospitals. Rush is particularly renowned for orthopedics and neurology, which translates to high MRI volume in musculoskeletal and neuroimaging. MRI techs at Rush benefit from the academic teaching environment, competitive pay, and a strong institutional reputation.
Loyola Medicine operates Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood (western Chicago suburb) and several community hospitals. As a Level I trauma center and academic medical center affiliated with Loyola University Chicago, the system offers MRI techs exposure to complex trauma imaging, transplant cases, and oncologic staging. Loyola’s benefits package includes generous tuition assistance for employees and their dependents.
OSF HealthCare is the dominant health system in central and downstate Illinois, operating 15 hospitals from Peoria to Danville. MRI techs at OSF experience a different pace than Chicago—lower patient volume per scanner, but broader responsibility and more one-on-one mentorship. Peoria’s median MRI tech salary of $87,160 is nearly equal to the state median, and the cost of living in central Illinois is 15–20% below Chicago, making OSF positions attractive for techs who prioritize affordability.
Other notable employers include HSHS (Hospital Sisters Health System) in Springfield, UnityPoint Health in Peoria, Endeavor Health (formerly NorthShore) in the north suburbs, and University of Illinois Health in Chicago.
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How to start your MRI career in Illinois
Illinois does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists, so you can begin working as soon as you hold national certification. Chicago’s combination of high salaries and moderate cost of living makes it one of the most financially rewarding cities in the country for MRI techs, while downstate communities offer affordable living and strong job security.
To become an MRI technologist in Illinois:
- Complete an accredited MRI program. Options include ARRT-pathway programs (require prior radiology credentials) or ARMRIT-pathway programs like Tesla MR Institute (no prior credentials needed, 12-18 months).
- Finish clinical training. Tesla MR Institute has 15+ clinical training sites across Illinois, including placements in the Chicago metro and downstate locations.
- Pass certification. Earn your ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT credential.
- Apply for positions. Illinois employers widely accept both ARRT and ARMRIT certification. Large systems like Advocate Aurora and Northwestern post openings year-round.
For detailed program options and clinical site locations, see our MRI tech programs in Illinois guide.