Radiography Tech Salary

Knoxville vs Murfreesboro: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Knoxville, TN and Murfreesboro, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$72,534
$34.87/hr
Murfreesboro, TN
$79,068
$38.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMurfreesboro, TN
Median Salary$72,534$79,068
Hourly Rate$34.87$38.01
Entry Level (P10)$53,824$55,354
25th Percentile$62,395$63,648
75th Percentile$78,431$100,117
Top Earner (P90)$83,316$118,754
Total Employed67029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($72,534) and Murfreesboro ($79,068) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.KnoxvilleMurfreesboroMedian Salary$72,534$79,068Entry Level (P10)$53,824$55,354Top Earner (P90)$83,316$118,754US Median $84,348

Verdict

Murfreesboro, TN offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Murfreesboro is $6,534 (9.01%). Murfreesboro's median is -6.26% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $29,492,Murfreesboro spans $63,400. Murfreesboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$53,824
P25$62,395
Median$72,534
P75$78,431
P90 (Top)$83,316
Murfreesboro
P10 (Entry)$55,354
P25$63,648
Median$79,068
P75$100,117
P90 (Top)$118,754

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murfreesboro ($86,131 effective) pays 9.92% more than Knoxville ($78,357 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $72,534
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $78,357
Murfreesboro
Nominal: $79,068
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $86,131

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Murfreesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,068/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,754)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,131)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Knoxville grew 41.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.0% growth in Murfreesboro over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+41.8%

$48,570 (2019) → $68,890 (2025)

Murfreesboro, TN

+33.0%

$56,467 (2024) → $75,095 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Knoxville or Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $79,068/year, compared to Knoxville at $72,534/year — a difference of $6,534 (9.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Murfreesboro?

Knoxville radiologic technologist and technicians earn $34.87/hr while Murfreesboro hygienists earn $38.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Murfreesboro as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Murfreesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $78,357, Murfreesboro = $86,131), job availability (670 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Knoxville vs Murfreesboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $53,824 in Knoxville and $55,354 in Murfreesboro. The Murfreesboro 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