Athletic Trainers
Median wage · national
$62,520
Range: $55K – $75K
Employed
31K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: master's degree
HEALTH
MRI Technologist
MRI Technologist earn $95,480 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $81,040 and $106,340. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About MRI Technologist
Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.
- Median Wage
- $95,480
- Employed Nationally
- 43K
- Openings / Year
- 2,600
- Entry Education
- Associate's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Imaging Technologist
MRI Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coordinator)
MRI QA Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quality Assurance Coordinator)
MRI Radiographer (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiographer)
MRI Special Procedures Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Special Procedures Technologist)
How Much Do MRI Technologists Make?
MRI Technologist earn $95,480 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,040 and $106,340. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$95,480
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$81K–$106K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$81,040
Entry-level
$95,480
Median
$106,340
Experienced
What Do MRI Technologists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for MRI Technologist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Monitoring
Speaking
Operations Monitoring
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Where Do MRI Technologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for MRI Technologists?
The BLS projects +7.1% employment change for MRI Technologist through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 2,600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +7.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
2,600
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
43K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most MRI Technologist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $95,480 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 3,220 | $122,470 | +28.3% |
| 2 | Florida | 3,220 | $80,680 | -15.5% |
| 3 | New York | 3,030 | $104,740 | +9.7% |
| 4 | Illinois | 2,790 | $87,630 | -8.2% |
| 5 | Texas | 2,340 | $90,090 | -5.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most MRI Technologist positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allied Health Diagnostic | 85,413 | $70,786 | 1,768 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring MRI Technologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 3 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 6 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up MRI Technologist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to MRI Technologist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
MRI Technologist Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make MRI Technologist a compelling path. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $95,480 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +7.1% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $106,340 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Earnings and demand vary significantly by region National figures for MRI Technologist mask real geographic variation. High-demand metros can pay 20% or more above the national median while lower-cost or rural markets often fall well short. Where you work matters nearly as much as your credentials.
MRI Technologist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do MRI Technologist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for MRI Technologist is $95,480, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,040 and $106,340. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is MRI Technologist a good career?
Yes, the data is strong. A $95,480 median with +7.1% projected growth through 2034 is a combination most career fields can't match. The real variable is early career: workers around the 25th percentile earn $81,040, so your first employer and location will shape your trajectory more than the national number suggests.
How do I become a MRI Technologist?
Most MRI Technologist positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Allied Health Diagnostic are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for MRI Technologist?
The BLS projects +7.1% employment change for MRI Technologist through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 2,600 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 43K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do MRI Technologist professionals earn so much?
At $95,480 median with a Zone 3 preparation level, MRI Technologist compensates well because specialized expertise creates high economic value per hour, and the role typically carries meaningful liability, decision-making responsibility, or direct revenue impact. Industries that depend on this skill set pay competitively to attract and retain people who are genuinely good at it.
What skills do MRI Technologist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for MRI Technologist roles: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking, and Operations Monitoring. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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