Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (SOC 29-2035) earn a median $95,480 a year ($45.91 an hour) in the United States, with 43,390 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is District of Columbia.
What magnetic resonance imaging technologists do
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists operate MRI scanners, monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of the area scanned to make sure the pictures are of good quality. They review the physician's orders to confirm the prescribed exam and take a brief medical history. A screening interview identifies contraindications such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers and tattoos. They select the imaging techniques or coils that will produce the required images, position the patient on the cradle with immobilization devices when needed, and provide headphones or earplugs to reduce the noise. The SOC notes that they may administer gadolinium contrast intravenously, explain the procedure and enter data such as patient history, anatomical area and position into the computer. They inspect the images for quality using the scanner equipment and a laser camera. O*NET alternate titles include MRI radiographer, MRI specialist and research MRI technologist. About two thirds of respondents report an associate degree. Radiologic technologists, who take x-rays and CAT scans, are coded separately.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report an associate degree as the typical level of education for this occupation (65 percent).
Also called: 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).
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $33.12 | $38.96 | $45.91 | $51.12 | $61.38 | $46.21 | 43,390 |
| Annual | $68,890 | $81,040 | $95,480 | $106,340 | $127,670 | $96,120 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $42.85 | $48.57 | $61.88 | $62.77 | $64.88 | $56.06 | 150 | 0.21 | 0.75 |
| Annual | $89,120 | $101,020 | $128,710 | $130,560 | $134,950 | $116,600 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $35.75 | $44.70 | $59.62 | $72.96 | $83.67 | $57.96 | 3,570 | 0.20 | 0.70 |
| Annual | $74,360 | $92,970 | $124,000 | $151,760 | $174,030 | $120,560 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $37.67 | $50.19 | $59.01 | $64.16 | $77.08 | $57.58 | 960 | 0.27 | 0.97 |
| Annual | $78,350 | $104,390 | $122,750 | $133,450 | $160,320 | $119,770 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $47.65 | $51.34 | $58.62 | $62.54 | $63.31 | $56.55 | 510 | 0.26 | 0.93 |
| Annual | $99,110 | $106,790 | $121,920 | $130,080 | $131,680 | $117,610 | ||||
| Alaska | Hourly | $46.24 | $48.04 | $57.99 | $60.39 | $61.06 | $54.98 | 100 | 0.31 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $96,180 | $99,920 | $120,610 | $125,610 | $127,010 | $114,360 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $35.75 | $44.70 | $59.62 | $72.96 | $83.67 | $57.96 | 3,570 | 0.20 | 0.70 |
| Annual | $74,360 | $92,970 | $124,000 | $151,760 | $174,030 | $120,560 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $39.03 | $47.16 | $54.46 | $60.45 | $64.14 | $52.90 | 3,240 | 0.33 | 1.20 |
| Annual | $81,180 | $98,090 | $113,270 | $125,740 | $133,420 | $110,030 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $36.98 | $40.32 | $46.53 | $50.95 | $54.89 | $45.49 | 2,930 | 0.21 | 0.75 |
| Annual | $76,920 | $83,860 | $96,780 | $105,980 | $114,160 | $94,610 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $31.25 | $37.62 | $40.55 | $47.38 | $49.33 | $41.40 | 2,860 | 0.29 | 1.03 |
| Annual | $65,000 | $78,250 | $84,330 | $98,540 | $102,610 | $86,110 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $37.22 | $39.33 | $45.86 | $49.64 | $52.67 | $44.86 | 2,760 | 0.45 | 1.62 |
| Annual | $77,410 | $81,800 | $95,380 | $103,250 | $109,550 | $93,310 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $49.90 | $63.01 | $85.07 | $85.07 | $86.41 | $74.89 | 220 | 0.20 | 0.70 |
| Annual | $103,790 | $131,050 | $176,950 | $176,950 | $179,720 | $155,780 | ||||
| Vallejo, CA | Hourly | $46.43 | $76.86 | $84.93 | $86.74 | $86.74 | $77.24 | 30 | 0.24 | 0.84 |
| Annual | $96,570 | $159,880 | $176,650 | $180,430 | $180,430 | $160,650 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $45.95 | $48.75 | $70.32 | $84.67 | $87.68 | $67.54 | 420 | 0.18 | 0.63 |
| Annual | $95,580 | $101,400 | $146,260 | $176,110 | $182,360 | $140,480 | ||||
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | Hourly | $41.14 | $50.64 | $69.62 | $83.22 | $83.85 | $66.35 | 220 | 0.20 | 0.73 |
| Annual | $85,580 | $105,330 | $144,810 | $173,090 | $174,400 | $138,000 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $48.02 | $59.75 | $62.72 | $75.33 | $78.70 | $62.81 | 460 | 0.22 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $99,880 | $124,290 | $130,460 | $156,690 | $163,690 | $130,650 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $45.39 | $49.50 | $56.91 | $61.46 | $65.35 | $55.74 | 3,020 | 0.32 | 1.14 |
| Annual | $94,420 | $102,960 | $118,360 | $127,830 | $135,920 | $115,940 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $38.87 | $40.62 | $48.43 | $49.89 | $52.67 | $46.46 | 1,930 | 0.43 | 1.53 |
| Annual | $80,850 | $84,480 | $100,730 | $103,770 | $109,550 | $96,640 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $30.95 | $41.12 | $52.79 | $65.00 | $76.51 | $54.09 | 1,290 | 0.21 | 0.74 |
| Annual | $64,370 | $85,530 | $109,800 | $135,210 | $159,140 | $112,510 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $29.57 | $47.80 | $59.57 | $64.77 | $71.84 | $54.28 | 1,160 | 0.43 | 1.54 |
| Annual | $61,510 | $99,410 | $123,910 | $134,710 | $149,430 | $112,890 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $31.77 | $40.70 | $47.41 | $49.97 | $55.49 | $45.40 | 1,160 | 0.40 | 1.43 |
| Annual | $66,090 | $84,660 | $98,620 | $103,930 | $115,420 | $94,440 | ||||
Top industries employing magnetic resonance imaging technologists
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals employ 59.3% of magnetic resonance imaging technologists nationally (25,750 jobs) at a median $95,540 a year ($45.93 an hour), followed by Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (16.8%) and Offices of Physicians (13.4%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 25,750 | 59.3% | $95,540 | $45.93 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories NAICS 621500 | 7,310 | 16.8% | $93,540 | $44.97 |
| Offices of Physicians NAICS 621100 | 5,820 | 13.4% | $93,880 | $45.14 |
| Outpatient Care Centers NAICS 621400 | 1,300 | 3.0% | $140,390 | $67.49 |
| Employment Services NAICS 561300 | 1,150 | 2.7% | $91,970 | $44.22 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (43,390). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $77,360 for magnetic resonance imaging technologists in May 2021 and $95,480 in May 2025, with employment of 38,070 and 43,390.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $77,360 | $37.19 | 38,070 |
| May 2022 | $80,090 | $38.51 | 38,380 |
| May 2023 | $83,740 | $40.26 | 41,340 |
| May 2024 | $88,180 | $42.40 | 41,530 |
| May 2025 | $95,480 | $45.91 | 43,390 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
51 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia profile | $61.88 | $128,710 | $89,120 | $134,950 | 150 | 0.21 | 0.75 |
| 2 | California profile | $59.62 | $124,000 | $74,360 | $174,030 | 3,570 | 0.20 | 0.70 |
| 3 | Washington profile | $59.01 | $122,750 | $78,350 | $160,320 | 960 | 0.27 | 0.97 |
| 4 | Oregon profile | $58.62 | $121,920 | $99,110 | $131,680 | 510 | 0.26 | 0.93 |
| 5 | Alaska profile | $57.99 | $120,610 | $96,180 | $127,010 | 100 | 0.31 | 1.12 |
| 6 | Hawaii profile | $57.39 | $119,370 | $62,120 | $130,040 | 140 | 0.23 | 0.82 |
| 7 | New York profile | $54.46 | $113,270 | $81,180 | $133,420 | 3,240 | 0.33 | 1.20 |
| 8 | Massachusetts profile | $53.17 | $110,600 | $62,360 | $146,880 | 1,490 | 0.41 | 1.47 |
| 9 | Connecticut profile | $51.12 | $106,330 | $81,030 | $130,960 | 450 | 0.27 | 0.96 |
| 10 | New Hampshire profile | $50.68 | $105,420 | $79,800 | $119,030 | 270 | 0.39 | 1.40 |
| 11 | Colorado profile | $50.66 | $105,380 | $84,460 | $122,980 | 670 | 0.23 | 0.83 |
| 12 | Maryland profile | $50.59 | $105,230 | $86,430 | $123,230 | 770 | 0.28 | 1.00 |
| 13 | Rhode Island profile | $50.51 | $105,060 | $83,770 | $130,820 | 140 | 0.28 | 0.99 |
| 14 | New Jersey profile | $49.96 | $103,930 | $80,850 | $130,800 | 1,250 | 0.29 | 1.04 |
| 15 | Delaware profile | $49.77 | $103,510 | $80,350 | $117,110 | 170 | 0.35 | 1.25 |
| 16 | Vermont profile | $49.55 | $103,070 | $83,340 | $132,270 | 60 | 0.18 | 0.66 |
| 17 | Idaho profile | $48.88 | $101,680 | $82,820 | $124,470 | 170 | 0.20 | 0.71 |
| 18 | Minnesota profile | $48.51 | $100,900 | $83,200 | $111,600 | 710 | 0.24 | 0.87 |
| 19 | Arizona profile | $48.37 | $100,600 | $81,380 | $123,040 | 730 | 0.23 | 0.81 |
| 20 | Virginia profile | $47.42 | $98,640 | $78,400 | $121,940 | 1,070 | 0.26 | 0.93 |
| 21 | Nevada profile | $47.24 | $98,260 | $84,610 | $124,120 | 340 | 0.22 | 0.79 |
| 22 | Texas profile | $46.53 | $96,780 | $76,920 | $114,160 | 2,930 | 0.21 | 0.75 |
| 23 | Illinois profile | $45.86 | $95,380 | $77,410 | $109,550 | 2,760 | 0.45 | 1.62 |
| 24 | Wisconsin profile | $45.54 | $94,720 | $76,140 | $105,410 | 530 | 0.18 | 0.64 |
| 25 | Maine profile | $45.26 | $94,140 | $78,610 | $108,470 | 210 | 0.32 | 1.16 |
| 26 | Georgia profile | $44.26 | $92,060 | $63,970 | $109,200 | 1,800 | 0.37 | 1.32 |
| 27 | Wyoming profile | $44.24 | $92,010 | $67,170 | $105,660 | 70 | 0.26 | 0.94 |
| 28 | Utah profile | $43.82 | $91,150 | $80,920 | $109,830 | 300 | 0.17 | 0.61 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania profile | $43.81 | $91,120 | $51,280 | $107,990 | 2,250 | 0.37 | 1.33 |
| 30 | New Mexico profile | $42.24 | $87,850 | $75,030 | $99,550 | 140 | 0.16 | 0.58 |
| 31 | Ohio profile | $42.15 | $87,670 | $74,310 | $101,860 | 1,840 | 0.33 | 1.19 |
| 32 | Oklahoma profile | $42.06 | $87,480 | $76,950 | $101,680 | 400 | 0.23 | 0.83 |
| 33 | Montana profile | $41.80 | $86,950 | $72,030 | $101,020 | 150 | 0.28 | 1.02 |
| 34 | Indiana profile | $41.77 | $86,880 | $64,300 | $102,690 | 1,030 | 0.32 | 1.15 |
| 35 | North Carolina profile | $40.93 | $85,120 | $63,940 | $101,240 | 1,180 | 0.24 | 0.86 |
| 36 | Michigan profile | $40.68 | $84,620 | $73,130 | $96,700 | 1,270 | 0.29 | 1.04 |
| 37 | Florida profile | $40.55 | $84,330 | $65,000 | $102,610 | 2,860 | 0.29 | 1.03 |
| 38 | South Carolina profile | $40.17 | $83,550 | $65,980 | $96,230 | 730 | 0.32 | 1.14 |
| 39 | Missouri profile | $39.96 | $83,110 | $65,400 | $99,130 | 1,040 | 0.36 | 1.27 |
| 40 | Nebraska profile | $39.77 | $82,710 | $66,960 | $101,070 | 290 | 0.29 | 1.03 |
| 41 | Kansas profile | $39.75 | $82,670 | $65,890 | $102,490 | 330 | 0.23 | 0.82 |
| 42 | Kentucky profile | $39.52 | $82,200 | $66,170 | $101,760 | 650 | 0.33 | 1.17 |
| 43 | Iowa profile | $39.14 | $81,420 | $64,290 | $98,780 | 220 | 0.14 | 0.52 |
| 44 | North Dakota profile | $38.76 | $80,610 | $69,180 | $95,800 | 70 | 0.17 | 0.61 |
| 45 | West Virginia profile | $38.70 | $80,490 | $65,390 | $97,840 | 190 | 0.27 | 0.97 |
| 46 | Alabama profile | $37.93 | $78,890 | $60,560 | $96,880 | 490 | 0.23 | 0.83 |
| 47 | Arkansas profile | $37.88 | $78,780 | $61,910 | $97,570 | 380 | 0.29 | 1.04 |
| 48 | Tennessee profile | $37.79 | $78,610 | $62,310 | $97,870 | 1,350 | 0.41 | 1.47 |
| 49 | Louisiana profile | $37.26 | $77,510 | $50,830 | $99,060 | 510 | 0.27 | 0.95 |
| 50 | South Dakota profile | $37.03 | $77,010 | $51,160 | $97,660 | 210 | 0.46 | 1.66 |
| 51 | Mississippi profile | $34.48 | $71,710 | $54,080 | $82,730 | 250 | 0.22 | 0.78 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (29-2030), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-2035 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-2035, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-2035.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.