Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists: Job Description
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.
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The Daily Work of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of magnetic resonance imaging technologists cover:
- 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.
What Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Need to Know
Successful magnetic resonance imaging technologists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- 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)
- MRI Specialist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist)
- MRI Tech (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician)
- MRI Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist)
How Many Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Are There?
The U.S. employs around 1,628,999 magnetic resonance imaging technologists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +2.7% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $48,543 |
| Hourly median | $23.34 |
| 10th percentile | $33,393 |
| 25th percentile | $40,968 |
| 75th percentile | $56,118 |
| 90th percentile | $63,693 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,470 |
| Hawaii | $122,060 |
| Washington | $114,430 |
| District of Columbia | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $110,160 |
| Delaware | $106,070 |
| New York | $104,740 |
| Massachusetts | $104,430 |
| Rhode Island | $104,160 |
| Maryland | $102,760 |
| Alaska | $102,690 |
| Idaho | $102,090 |
| New Hampshire | $101,590 |
| Connecticut | $101,460 |
| Colorado | $100,560 |
| New Jersey | $99,660 |
| Minnesota | $99,660 |
| Vermont | $99,360 |
| Nevada | $98,930 |
| Arizona | $97,160 |
| Virginia | $95,300 |
| Texas | $90,090 |
| New Mexico | $88,530 |
| Wyoming | $88,500 |
| Illinois | $87,630 |
| Georgia | $87,170 |
| Wisconsin | $86,720 |
| Utah | $86,680 |
| Maine | $86,340 |
| West Virginia | $83,670 |
| Montana | $83,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,560 |
| North Carolina | $83,450 |
| Indiana | $82,960 |
| Oklahoma | $82,870 |
| Michigan | $81,790 |
| Ohio | $81,030 |
| Kentucky | $80,920 |
| South Carolina | $80,890 |
| Florida | $80,680 |
| Missouri | $80,490 |
| Nebraska | $79,410 |
| Kansas | $78,580 |
| Tennessee | $77,610 |
| North Dakota | $77,100 |
| Iowa | $76,340 |
| Alabama | $74,920 |
| Arkansas | $73,260 |
| Mississippi | $72,620 |
| Louisiana | $71,730 |
| South Dakota | $66,870 |
| Puerto Rico | $41,960 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for magnetic resonance imaging technologists shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $117,843 | 12.5% | 0.76 |
| New England | $102,122 | 6.2% | 1.31 |
| Middle Atlantic | $97,941 | 17.9% | 1.17 |
| Rocky Mountains | $95,170 | 3.2% | 0.81 |
| Southwest | $90,728 | 8.4% | 0.68 |
| Great Lakes | $84,450 | 17.1% | 1.29 |
| Plains States | $83,444 | 7.9% | 1.30 |
| Southeast | $82,023 | 26.6% | 1.09 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $170,590 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $170,290 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $147,480 | 370 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $133,870 | 220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $125,390 | 440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $123,850 | 270 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $122,870 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | CA | $119,760 | 40 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of magnetic resonance imaging technologists are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 40,020 | $88,440 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 670 | $81,840 |
| Educational Services | 280 | $94,410 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 100 | n/a |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 30 | $92,350 |
Below are examples of industries where magnetic resonance imaging technologists work:
Software Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Use
- Medical software: eClinicalWorks EHR software (hot technology)
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The work environment for magnetic resonance imaging technologists reflects the following characteristics:
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
Entry-level magnetic resonance imaging technologists positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Anesthesiologist Assistants (Supplemental)
- Radiation Therapists (Primary-Long)
- Respiratory Therapists (Primary-Long)
- Cardiologists (Supplemental)
- Radiologists (Supplemental)
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (Supplemental)
- Pediatric Surgeons (Supplemental)
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Future magnetic resonance imaging technologists typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-2035.00 (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists).
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