Magnetic resonance imaging technologists salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $95,480 | $45.91 |
| Mean (average) | $96,120 | $46.21 |
| 90th percentile | $127,670 | $61.38 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 52 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $78,890 | $60,560 | $96,880 | 490 | 0.83 |
| Alaska | $120,610 | $96,180 | $127,010 | 100 | 1.12 |
| Arizona | $100,600 | $81,380 | $123,040 | 730 | 0.81 |
| Arkansas | $78,780 | $61,910 | $97,570 | 380 | 1.04 |
| California | $124,000 | $74,360 | $174,030 | 3,570 | 0.7 |
| Colorado | $105,380 | $84,460 | $122,980 | 670 | 0.83 |
| Connecticut | $106,330 | $81,030 | $130,960 | 450 | 0.96 |
| Delaware | $103,510 | $80,350 | $117,110 | 170 | 1.25 |
| District of Columbia | $128,710 | $89,120 | $134,950 | 150 | 0.75 |
| Florida | $84,330 | $65,000 | $102,610 | 2,860 | 1.03 |
| Georgia | $92,060 | $63,970 | $109,200 | 1,800 | 1.32 |
| Hawaii | $119,370 | $62,120 | $130,040 | 140 | 0.82 |
| Idaho | $101,680 | $82,820 | $124,470 | 170 | 0.71 |
| Illinois | $95,380 | $77,410 | $109,550 | 2,760 | 1.62 |
| Indiana | $86,880 | $64,300 | $102,690 | 1,030 | 1.15 |
| Iowa | $81,420 | $64,290 | $98,780 | 220 | 0.52 |
| Kansas | $82,670 | $65,890 | $102,490 | 330 | 0.82 |
| Kentucky | $82,200 | $66,170 | $101,760 | 650 | 1.17 |
| Louisiana | $77,510 | $50,830 | $99,060 | 510 | 0.95 |
| Maine | $94,140 | $78,610 | $108,470 | 210 | 1.16 |
| Maryland | $105,230 | $86,430 | $123,230 | 770 | 1 |
| Massachusetts | $110,600 | $62,360 | $146,880 | 1,490 | 1.47 |
| Michigan | $84,620 | $73,130 | $96,700 | 1,270 | 1.04 |
| Minnesota | $100,900 | $83,200 | $111,600 | 710 | 0.87 |
| Mississippi | $71,710 | $54,080 | $82,730 | 250 | 0.78 |
| Missouri | $83,110 | $65,400 | $99,130 | 1,040 | 1.27 |
| Montana | $86,950 | $72,030 | $101,020 | 150 | 1.02 |
| Nebraska | $82,710 | $66,960 | $101,070 | 290 | 1.03 |
| Nevada | $98,260 | $84,610 | $124,120 | 340 | 0.79 |
| New Hampshire | $105,420 | $79,800 | $119,030 | 270 | 1.4 |
| New Jersey | $103,930 | $80,850 | $130,800 | 1,250 | 1.04 |
| New Mexico | $87,850 | $75,030 | $99,550 | 140 | 0.58 |
| New York | $113,270 | $81,180 | $133,420 | 3,240 | 1.2 |
| North Carolina | $85,120 | $63,940 | $101,240 | 1,180 | 0.86 |
| North Dakota | $80,610 | $69,180 | $95,800 | 70 | 0.61 |
| Ohio | $87,670 | $74,310 | $101,860 | 1,840 | 1.19 |
| Oklahoma | $87,480 | $76,950 | $101,680 | 400 | 0.83 |
| Oregon | $121,920 | $99,110 | $131,680 | 510 | 0.93 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,120 | $51,280 | $107,990 | 2,250 | 1.33 |
| Puerto Rico | $44,810 | $34,580 | $55,620 | 100 | 0.39 |
| Rhode Island | $105,060 | $83,770 | $130,820 | 140 | 0.99 |
| South Carolina | $83,550 | $65,980 | $96,230 | 730 | 1.14 |
| South Dakota | $77,010 | $51,160 | $97,660 | 210 | 1.66 |
| Tennessee | $78,610 | $62,310 | $97,870 | 1,350 | 1.47 |
| Texas | $96,780 | $76,920 | $114,160 | 2,930 | 0.75 |
| Utah | $91,150 | $80,920 | $109,830 | 300 | 0.61 |
| Vermont | $103,070 | $83,340 | $132,270 | 60 | 0.66 |
| Virginia | $98,640 | $78,400 | $121,940 | 1,070 | 0.93 |
| Washington | $122,750 | $78,350 | $160,320 | 960 | 0.97 |
| West Virginia | $80,490 | $65,390 | $97,840 | 190 | 0.97 |
| Wisconsin | $94,720 | $76,140 | $105,410 | 530 | 0.64 |
| Wyoming | $92,010 | $67,170 | $105,660 | 70 | 0.94 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 2,300. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for magnetic resonance imaging technologists
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
- Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
- Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.
- Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.
- Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
- Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging.
- Take brief medical histories from patients.
- Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera.
Technology skills
- MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- eClinicalWorks EHR software (hot technology)
- Appointment scheduling software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Medical image processing software
- Radiology information systems (RIS)
- Teleradiology systems
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination.
Common job titles: MRI Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coordinator), MRI QA Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quality Assurance Coordinator), MRI Radiographer (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiographer), MRI Specialist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist), MRI Tech (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician), MRI Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist), Research MRI Technologist (Research Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do magnetic resonance imaging technologists make?
The national median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $95,480 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $68,890 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $127,670. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do magnetic resonance imaging technologists need?
BLS lists associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with less than 5 years of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is magnetic resonance imaging technologists a growing career?
BLS projects employment of magnetic resonance imaging technologists to change +7.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 2,300 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay magnetic resonance imaging technologists the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were District of Columbia ($128,710), California ($124,000), Washington ($122,750). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.