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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Career, Salary and Skills

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $95,480 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 43,390. Wage data is published for 226 locations.

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Occupation 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.

O*NET code

29-2035.00

Job zone

3

Typical education

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

Experience

Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

National salary and employment

Median annual

$95,480

Hourly median

$45.91

Employment

43,390

Data year

2025

National salary distribution

$68,890
10th
$81,040
25th
$95,480
Median
$106,340
75th
$127,670
90th

Top skills

SkillImportanceLevel
Reading Comprehension3.884.00
Monitoring3.753.75
Active Listening3.753.88
Speaking3.623.88
Operations Monitoring3.623.38
Critical Thinking3.383.62
Operation and Control3.253.12
Service Orientation3.122.88
Active Learning3.123.12
Writing3.123.12
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Typical tasks

  • 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.
  • Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
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Technology

  • Appointment scheduling software
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
  • Medical image processing software
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • Radiology information systems (RIS)
  • Teleradiology systems
  • Web browser software
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists salary by location

Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.

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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.