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.
National median · BLS
$95,480
▲ +8.28%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$96,120
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
43,390
Jobs (BLS)
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Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.
Pay range for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$68,890
25th
$81,040
Median (50th)
$95,480
75th
$106,340
90th — top pay
$127,670
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
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Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
BLS projects employment of magnetic resonance imaging technologists to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 2,300 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
43,900 → 47,300
+3,400 jobs
Projected change
+7.7%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
2,300
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Plus less than 5 years experience
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Reading Comprehension3.9
Active Listening3.8
Monitoring3.8
Operations Monitoring3.6
Speaking3.6
Critical Thinking3.4
Operation and Control3.3
Active Learning3.1
Complex Problem Solving3.1
Service Orientation3.1
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal Service4.2
English Language4.0
Physics4.0
Computers and Electronics3.6
Medicine and Dentistry3.5
Public Safety and Security3.5
Education and Training3.4
Biology3.0
Software and technology used
eClinicalWorks EHR softwareMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordAppointment scheduling softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareGE Healthcare Centricity EMRMedical image processing softwareRadiology information systems (RIS)Teleradiology systemsWeb browser software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What magnetic resonance imaging technologists 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.
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.
Imaging TechnologistMRI Special Procedures Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Special Procedures Technologist)Travel MRI Tech (Travel Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician)
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $95,480.
