How much does a magnetic resonance imaging technologists make?

The median magnetic resonance imaging technologists salary in the United States is $95,480 per year ($45.91/hour). Salaries range from $68,890 (10th percentile) to $127,670 (90th percentile). There are 43,390 magnetic resonance imaging technologists jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays magnetic resonance imaging technologistss the most?

The highest paying state for magnetic resonance imaging technologistss is District of Columbia at $128,710 median salary.

Is magnetic resonance imaging technologists a good career?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034 (faster than average). There are approximately 2,600 job openings per year. Typical education required: Associate's degree.

What interview questions are asked for magnetic resonance imaging technologists roles?

Common magnetic resonance imaging technologists interview questions include: "Walk me through how you'd screen a patient with a pacemaker before an MRI.", "A claustrophobic patient is panicking on the table. What do you do?", "You get an image with severe motion artifact halfway through a brain sequence. What do you do?". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example Kaiser Permanente typically uses 3-4 rounds over 3-5 weeks.

What is the career ladder for magnetic resonance imaging technologistss?

The typical magnetic resonance imaging technologists career ladder: Staff MRI Technologist (0-3 yrs, $68-92k + shift and on-call differential) → Senior / Specialty MRI Technologist (Cardiac, Breast, Neuro) (3-10 yrs, $88-118k + differentials) → Lead / Chief MRI Technologist (6-15 yrs, $100-135k) → Imaging Supervisor / Manager (12+ yrs, $115-185k+).

What certifications should magnetic resonance imaging technologistss get?

Top-ROI certifications for magnetic resonance imaging technologistss: ARRT Radiography R.T.(R) ($200 exam + 24 CE hours per biennium); ARRT MRI R.T.(R)(MR) or Primary MRI ($200 exam + clinical hours); ARMRIT (American Registry of MRI Technologists) ($225 exam).

How do you negotiate a magnetic resonance imaging technologists salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $95,480, p75 $106,340), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Five years staff MRI tech, ARRT R.T.(R)(MR), ACR MR Safety Level 2, cardiac MRI specialty, 8 cardiac cases per day, and multi-vendor experience on Siemens, GE, and Philips. Market for a Senior/Specialty MRI Tech at an a...

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Salary

The median magnetic resonance imaging technologists salary in the United States is $95,480 per year ($45.91/hour). Salaries range from $68,890 at the entry level to $127,670+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 43,390 magnetic resonance imaging technologists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 7.1% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asMRI TechnologistMRI Tech

Median Salary

$95,480

per year

Hourly Rate

$45.91

per hour

Employment

43,390

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$68,890

25th percentile

$81,040

Median

$95,480

75th percentile

$106,340

90th percentile

$127,670

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+7.1%

Faster than average

Annual Openings

2,600

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Associate's degree

+ Less than 5 years experience

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for magnetic resonance imaging technologistss.

MRI technologists operate MR scanners at hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, orthopedic and cardiology specialty clinics, and academic medical centers. Most enter through radiologic technology and cross-train into MRI. Entry (post-ARRT MRI credential) $68-88k; established $82-112k; senior/lead $102-135k; supervisor/imaging manager $118-165k. Travel MRI tech contracts often exceed $2,800-4,500/week with housing. Level 1 trauma centers, academic medical centers, and California/West Coast pay the highest.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

MR safety (ACR Zones I-IV)

ACR MR safety framework, ferromagnetic screening, patient and device screening, and management of Level 2 personnel. Every credential exists to prevent projectiles and burns.

Scanner operation and pulse sequences

Fluency with 1.5T and 3T platforms (GE Signa, Siemens MAGNETOM, Philips Ingenia, Canon Vantage). Comfort selecting and modifying protocols for T1, T2, DWI, FLAIR, MRA, MRV, and body imaging sequences.

Patient positioning and coils

Selecting and applying the right coil (head, neck, spine, extremity, cardiac, breast, body). Positioning to optimize image quality and patient comfort during 20-60 minute scans.

Contrast administration

Gadolinium-based contrast agents, IV placement (in states allowing), and monitoring for reactions. Understanding NSF risk with renal impairment and current gadolinium retention research.

Protocol optimization and troubleshooting

Adjusting TR, TE, TI, FOV, slice thickness, and coil combinations to solve artifact issues (motion, susceptibility, chemical shift). Working with the radiologist on protocol standards.

Patient communication and management

Explaining the exam, managing claustrophobia (music, comfort talk, feet-first positioning, open bore scanners), and screening implanted devices thoroughly. Empathy plus rigor.

PACS and RIS workflow

Epic Radiant, Sectra, McKesson, or IDX RIS; sending images to PACS (GE Centricity, Sectra, Philips IntelliSpace); QC on every study before sending.

How to Become a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

1
Complete an ARRT-recognized radiography or MRI program
Most MRI techs start as R.T.(R) rad techs then add MRI. Some direct-entry MRI programs exist (18-24 months). JRCERT-accredited programs are the safest pathway to ARRT eligibility.
2
Pass the ARRT MRI primary or post-primary exam
Primary route: after MRI-specific education. Post-primary route: after R.T.(R) plus MRI clinical hours. $200 exam. Some states also require state licensure.
3
Take a first MRI role at $68-88k at a hospital or outpatient center
Hospitals offer more complex pathology and 24/7 shift options; outpatient centers offer more predictable hours.
4
Cross-train on 1.5T and 3T; add cardiac or breast MRI specialty
Cardiac and breast MRI are the highest-margin specialties; MRI safety officer training opens supervisory tracks. Add ARRT Cardiac Interventional or breast credentials if the site offers them.
5
Advance to lead, supervisor, or travel tech
Lead MRI tech $95-125k. Supervisor/manager $118-165k. Travel MRI tech contracts $2,800-4,500/week + housing on 13-week assignments; annualized $145-230k with the right agency and market.

Career Progression

Staff MRI Technologist

0-3 yrs$68-92k + shift and on-call differential

•Perform MRI exams under standard protocols
•Screen patients and check implanted devices
•Administer contrast when trained and authorized
•Send images to PACS and handle basic troubleshooting

Next: Senior Tech or Specialty at 2-5 years.

Senior / Specialty MRI Technologist (Cardiac, Breast, Neuro)

3-10 yrs$88-118k + differentials

•Handle complex cases and advanced sequences
•Serve as ACR MR Safety Level 2 personnel
•Train new techs and rotate on the schedule
•Own protocol optimization projects with the radiologist

Next: Lead / Supervisor at 6-12 years.

Lead / Chief MRI Technologist

6-15 yrs$100-135k

•Own daily scheduling for 4-12 techs
•Coordinate with radiologists and referring physicians
•Own protocol library and vendor updates
•MR Safety Officer for the imaging suite

Next: Imaging Supervisor at 10-15 years.

Imaging Supervisor / Manager

12+ yrs$115-185k+

•Manage MRI and adjacent modalities (CT, PET, IR)
•Own department P&L, budget, and capital planning
•Report to Director of Imaging or Radiology
•Own accreditation (ACR, TJC) and compliance

Next: Director of Imaging or Radiology Administrator.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through how you'd screen a patient with a pacemaker before an MRI.technical

Confirm the device is labeled MR-conditional; MR-unsafe devices are absolute contraindications. Get the manufacturer, model, and lead information. Follow the specific ACR guidance and the manufacturer's MRI conditions — magnetic field strength limit, SAR limits, specific programming, monitoring requirements. Confirm the electrophysiologist has cleared the patient for MRI. Cardiac monitoring during the scan and post-scan device interrogation. Any deviation from the specific conditions makes the scan unsafe.

Q2. A claustrophobic patient is panicking on the table. What do you do?situational

Get them out of the bore immediately. Reassure calmly. Options: pre-medication (radiologist or referring physician orders), feet-first positioning for lumbar or extremity, wide-bore or open-bore scanner if available, music and comfort talk, family member in the room if appropriate. Never force. Some patients genuinely cannot tolerate MRI and need general anesthesia or an alternative modality. Document the attempt and communicate with the ordering physician.

Q3. You get an image with severe motion artifact halfway through a brain sequence. What do you do?situational

Do not send a diagnostic study with heavy motion — the radiologist will re-scan anyway. Talk to the patient, understand why (pain, positioning discomfort, cough, anxiety), and address it if possible. Repeat the sequence if the patient can tolerate. If motion is due to true pathology (seizure, tremor), work with the radiologist on motion-correction sequences (PROPELLER, BLADE, MultiVane) or shorter TR strategies. Document the attempt.

Q4. Which scanner platforms are you strongest on?technical

Name them by manufacturer and field strength (Siemens MAGNETOM Vida 3T, GE Signa Pioneer 3T, Philips Ingenia 1.5T). Say which vendor-specific software you're strongest on and which advanced sequences you use (SMS, compressed sensing, SPICE, ASL). Managers dispatch cases based on platform fluency; techs strong on 2-3 platforms earn more.

Q5. Where do you see your career in 5 years?closer

Specialty depth (cardiac, breast, neuro), lead tech, or supervisor track. Some techs pursue MR Safety Officer certification and move into safety and administration. Say which and defend it. Directors of imaging invest in techs with direction.

Resume Template — MRI Technologist (0-3 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

MRI Technologist (0-3 yrs)

▸Staff MRI tech at 380-bed Level 2 trauma center; 12-16 cases per shift across 1.5T Siemens Aera and 3T Skyra.
▸ARRT R.T.(R)(MR); ACR MR Safety Level 2; California state licensure.
▸Cross-trained on cardiac MRI and MR angiography; contrast-certified.
▸$82k base + $6k on-call + $4k shift differential + PSLF-eligible.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Weak on MR safety — a projectile incident is a career-ending event.
✗Poor patient communication for anxious or claustrophobic patients; drives cancelled exams.
✗Cannot troubleshoot artifact — sends nondiagnostic studies to the radiologist.
✗Weak contrast administration safety — reactions and NSF risk require specific protocols.
✗No fluency in EPIC/RIS/PACS workflow; slows the department down.
✗Poor rapport with radiologists; techs who fight protocol changes get moved off complex cases.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓3T scanner and advanced sequence experience adds $3-8/hr over 1.5T-only.
✓Cardiac MRI, breast MRI, and MR spectroscopy specialties each add $5-15k in base pay.
✓Level 1 trauma centers, academic medical centers, and children's hospitals pay 10-20% above community hospitals.
✓Travel MRI tech contracts pay $2,800-4,500/week ($145-230k annualized) plus housing stipend.
✓Metro cost-of-living — California, NYC, DC, Boston, Seattle add 20-40% over national MRI tech averages.
✓PSLF eligibility at non-profit and public hospitals — worth $30-100k over 10 years.
✓MR Safety Officer certification adds $5-10k and opens supervisor tracks.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 6 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$72K

$129K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
District of Columbia	$128,710	+34.8%	150
California	$124,000	+29.9%	3,570
Washington	$122,750	+28.6%	960
Oregon	$121,920	+27.7%	510
Alaska	$120,610	+26.3%	100
Hawaii	$119,370	+25.0%	140
New York	$113,270	+18.6%	3,240
Massachusetts	$110,600	+15.8%	1,490
Connecticut	$106,330	+11.4%	450
New Hampshire	$105,420	+10.4%	270

Showing 1–10 of 51

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$176,950	+85.3%
Vallejo, CA	$176,650	+85.0%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$146,260	+53.2%
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$144,810	+51.7%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$130,460	+36.6%
Modesto, CA	$126,980	+33.0%
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$125,660	+31.6%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$123,910	+29.8%
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$123,080	+28.9%
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$121,930	+27.7%

Showing 1–10 of 175

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A magnetic resonance imaging technologists earning $95,480/year would need 624 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 670 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

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📈 See how magnetic resonance imaging technologists salaries have changed over the past decade.

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