Radiography Tech Salary

Duluth vs Prior Lake: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Duluth, MN and Prior Lake, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$82,189
$39.52/hr
Prior Lake, MN
$81,315
$39.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNPrior Lake, MN
Median Salary$82,189$81,315
Hourly Rate$39.52$39.09
Entry Level (P10)$67,501$56,653
25th Percentile$68,681$64,818
75th Percentile$89,675$96,479
Top Earner (P90)$101,794$120,158
Total Employed2807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($82,189) and Prior Lake ($81,315) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.DuluthPrior LakeMedian Salary$82,189$81,315Entry Level (P10)$67,501$56,653Top Earner (P90)$101,794$120,158US Median $84,348

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Prior Lake.

The salary gap between Duluth and Prior Lake is $874 (1.07%). Duluth's median is -2.56% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $34,293,Prior Lake spans $63,505. Prior Lake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$67,501
P25$68,681
Median$82,189
P75$89,675
P90 (Top)$101,794
Prior Lake
P10 (Entry)$56,653
P25$64,818
Median$81,315
P75$96,479
P90 (Top)$120,158

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($92,589 effective) pays 12.16% more than Prior Lake ($82,553 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $82,189
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $92,589
Prior Lake
Nominal: $81,315
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $82,553

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,189/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,589)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Prior Lake if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($120,158)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Duluth grew 19.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.4% growth in Prior Lake over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+19.9%

$65,130 (2019) → $78,060 (2025)

Prior Lake, MN

+5.4%

$73,268 (2024) → $77,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Duluth or Prior Lake?

Duluth has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $82,189/year, compared to Prior Lake at $81,315/year — a difference of $874 (1.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Prior Lake?

Duluth radiologic technologist and technicians earn $39.52/hr while Prior Lake hygienists earn $39.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Prior Lake as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Prior Lake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $92,589, Prior Lake = $82,553), job availability (280 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Duluth vs Prior Lake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $67,501 in Duluth and $56,653 in Prior Lake. The Duluth area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.

Clinically reviewed by Marisol Patel, RT(R), BSData verified by Samuel Kim, RT(R)(CT), MHA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.29% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov