Medical Skilled Trades
MRI Technologist
MRI technologists operate scanners that use strong magnets, not X-rays, to image the body. Most often they start as radiologic technologists and add MRI certification.
1.Career snapshot
- Role
- MRI Technologist
- Pay (planning range)
- $70K–$110K+ Wealth Playbook guide, 2026
- Training time
- 1–2+ years
- Pathway
- Medical Imaging
- Demand
- Employment of MRI technologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035 (BLS projections table), much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Patient contact
- High
- Occupation code
- SOC 29-2035 · O*NET 29-2035.00
- Diagnostic / technology-focused
- Career advancement potential
2.What you'll do
Everyday work and where it happens
You review each physician's order, then screen the patient carefully for anything the magnet could affect, such as metal implants or a pacemaker. You position the patient, choose the right coils and imaging techniques, and run the scanner while keeping the patient comfortable with earplugs or headphones. You check the images and work with the radiologist on whether more are needed.
Typical duties
- Review physicians' orders to confirm the prescribed exam
- Screen patients for safety risks such as metal objects, implants, pacemakers or pregnancy
- Select imaging techniques and coils to produce the required images
- Position patients and attach immobilization devices when needed
- Operate MRI scanners and evaluate image quality
- Keep detailed patient records and maintain equipment
- Where you could work
- Hospitals, Medical and diagnostic laboratories, Offices of physicians, Outpatient care centers
- Schedule
- Most MRI technologists work full time. Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergencies, some work evenings, weekends or overnight shifts.
- Physical demands
- Often on your feet for long periods, and you may need to lift or turn patients who are injured or ill.
- Patient contact
- High
3.How to get there
Education, training, exams and licensing
- Typical training
- Imaging education + MRI specialization
- Training time
- 1–2+ years
1.Earn an associate's degree in an imaging field
An associate's degree is typical. ARRT requires an associate's degree or higher before you take any of its exams.
2.Most common route: work as a radiologic technologist first
BLS says MRI technologists typically need less than 5 years of experience in a related job, most often as a radiologic technologist. Radiography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, sonography and vascular sonography are all accepted supporting credentials for ARRT's postprimary MRI pathway.
3.Complete MRI structured education and clinical experience, then pass the ARRT MRI exam
Postprimary candidates document structured education and a set list of clinical procedures before applying. Alternatively, you can enter directly through an ARRT-approved MRI program on the primary pathway.
4.Check your state's rules
Few states require licensure for MRI technologists, but employers typically require or prefer certification (for example, ARRT's MRI credential) and often CPR or BLS certification.
Exams and credentials
- ARRT certification and registration in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, R.T.(MR)(ARRT) (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
Licensing
Few states require a license specifically for MRI technologists, but most states license radiologic technologists, and employers typically require or prefer certification (for example, ARRT's MRI credential). Requirements vary by state; check your state health board.
Look up your state's license requirements (opens in a new tab)
4.What it costs
Tuition, fees, exams and financial aid
Costs vary by program.
ARRT application fee for MRI: $225 on the primary pathway or the postprimary pathway with an ARRT supporting credential; $450 on the postprimary pathway when the supporting credential is from NMTCB or ARDMS (arrt.org, read October 2026).
Grants, loans and work-study can help pay for an eligible program. Start with the FAFSA at studentaid.gov (opens in a new tab), and ask each program what its total cost includes.
5.What you can earn
Starting, median and experienced pay, and where the figures come from
Planning range
$70K–$110K+
Planning range from the Wealth Playbook medical careers guide, 2026
Local wage data isn't loaded yet, so this is a broad planning range, not a wage figure.
A planning range is broad and has no median: it is for planning, not a promise of pay. Starting, median and experienced wages will show here when BLS wage data is loaded.
For reference only (not this page's pay figure): BLS median, May 2025, national: $95,480 a year (source, opens in a new tab).
6.Jobs near you
Coming soon
We plan to show local openings here once a job-data source is connected. Until then, you can search current listings yourself.
7.Career ladder
Next certifications and roles
- Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray)(The most common starting point, per BLS.)
- MRI Technologist(this career)
- Lead Technologist or Imaging Manager(A leadership role. Medical and health services managers typically need a bachelor's degree, per BLS.)
8.Your wealth path
From your first paycheck to owning and investing
Train
Certify
Get hired
Advance
Build wealth
Own / invest
Estimated take-home pay
Low end of the planning range: $70,000 a year
About $54,881 a year ($4,573 a month)
High end of the planning range: $110,000 a year
About $81,021 a year ($6,752 a month)
Estimate only. Assumptions: tax year 2026, single filer, the standard deduction, federal income tax, FICA at 7.65%, and a default state income tax rate of 5.00% (choose a state above to use its rate). No retirement contributions or other deductions. The Paycheck calculator uses the same engine.
9.Find training
Free U.S. Department of Labor resources. We don't list or rank schools.
Registered apprenticeships exist for some of these roles. For licensed careers, check that a program meets your state's licensing rules.
10.Compare careers
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Sources
- Pay: Planning range from the Wealth Playbook medical careers guide, 2026 (a planning range, not wage data).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiologic and MRI Technologists (opens in a new tab)
- O*NET OnLine: 29-2035.00 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Primary Eligibility Pathway Requirements (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Postprimary Pathway - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Supporting Category Requirements (postprimary) (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Application Fees (opens in a new tab)