Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists earn a median salary of $88,180 per year, ranking in the top 18% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +7.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn?

The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists is $88,180. That puts magnetic resonance imaging technologists at #150 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is magnetic resonance imaging technologists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for magnetic resonance imaging technologists is +7.1%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 44K positions in 2024 to 47K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do magnetic resonance imaging technologists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working magnetic resonance imaging technologists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.
2. 2.Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation.
3. 3.Comfort patients during exams, or request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia.
4. 4.Attach physiological monitoring leads to patient's finger, chest, waist, or other body parts.
5. 5.Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
6. 6.Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.
7. 7.Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
8. 8.Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation.

Top skills for magnetic resonance imaging technologists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become magnetic resonance imaging technologist?

Entry into magnetic resonance imaging technologists typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, often coupled with state licensing exams or clinical hours. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about magnetic resonance imaging technologists