MRI Technologist jobs in West Des Moines, IA
The median MRI Technologist pay in the West Des Moines area is $39.42 per hour ($82,000 a year), with the typical range running from $36.26 to $39.97. That ranks 100th of 163 U.S. metro areas for MRI Technologist pay, and 72nd of 160 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in the West Des Moines metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near West Des Moines.
- $39.42median pay per hour, Des Moines
- $36–$40typical range per hour
- 60MRI Technologists employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
MRI Technologist pay in West Des Moines, IA
The metro median is 7% above the Iowa statewide median of $36.70 per hour. Nationally the median is $42.40 per hour. BLS counts about 60 magnetic resonance imaging technologists employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area, 0.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.56).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $31.22 | $64,940 | 26% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $36.26 | $75,420 | 14% below U.S. median |
| Median | $39.42 | $82,000 | 7% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $39.97 | $83,140 | 6% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $49.62 | $103,210 | 17% above U.S. median |
How West Des Moines ranks
- 100th of 163 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 72nd of 160 after adjusting for local prices
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (SOC 29-2035), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in West Des Moines
- Overall prices in Des Moines-West Des Moines run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 15% below the U.S. average (index 84.7).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $39.42 median hour buys what $42.99 buys at the national price level, 1% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the West Des Moines MRI Technologist pay report
Named employers near West Des Moines, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your West Des Moines paycheck
- Per year: $70,956
- Per month: $5,913
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in West Des Moines
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $115 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,365 |
| 13-week assignment | $17,745 |
Travel MRI Technologist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area
CMS lists 4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area, 1 of the 4 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of MRI Technologists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Va Central Iowa Healthcare System Des Moines, IA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Broadlawns Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 1 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
MRI Technologist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 9 mi | $39.42/hr | 213,096 |
| Ankeny, IA | 16 mi | $39.42/hr | 76,727 |
| Ames, IA | 34 mi | $36.70/hr | 69,026 |
| Waterloo, IA | 98 mi | $36.70/hr | 67,477 |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 110 mi | $38.18/hr | 62,665 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 112 mi | $36.70/hr | 137,904 |
MRI Technologist jobs in Iowa · MRI Technologist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
ARRT certification in MRI, or ARRT radiography with MRI training. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in West Des Moines
West Des Moines city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do MRI Technologists make in West Des Moines, IA?
MRI Technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area have a median pay of $39.42 per hour, about $82,000 a year. The middle half earn between $36.26 and $39.97 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is West Des Moines a good place for MRI Technologists once cost of living is counted?
Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks 72nd of 160 metro areas for MRI Technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 100th of 163 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Where do MRI Technologists work in West Des Moines?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area, led by Va Central Iowa Healthcare System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in West Des Moines as an MRI Technologist?
ARRT certification in MRI, or ARRT radiography with MRI training. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in West Des Moines?
The federal per diem benchmark in West Des Moines is $115 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,365 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place MRI Technologists in West Des Moines?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in West Des Moines and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near West Des Moines.
What do employers near West Des Moines pay MRI Technologists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ MRI Technologist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your MRI Tech pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- NewYork-PresbyterianNew York · 3 postings$63.47/ hr$57–$71
- CommonSpirit HealthPORT ORCHARD, WA · 4 postings$62.31/ hr$46–$83
- Boston Medical CenterBrighton, MA · 10 postings$55.47/ hr$43–$73
- Mass General BrighamBoston, MA · 18 postings$55.14/ hr$22–$69
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
238 MRI Tech postings with published pay in the US, 175 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open MRI Tech roles
Open MRI Tech roles near West Des Moines, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.