MRI Technologists: Duties, Salary, and How to Become One

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists use scanners to create internal images of the human body. These scans help diagnose a range of critical conditions, such as brain tumors and dementia, and inform the development of treatment plans to improve a patient’s health.

MRI techs provide an important service that saves lives. Learn more about MRI technologists, what they do, how much they make, and what you need to do to become one. 

What is an MRI technologist?

An MRI technologist uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to take pictures inside the human body for diagnostic purposes. MRI technologists work in health care facilities, such as hospitals and clinics, where they provide patient care and conduct MRI scans that produce internal imagery of the human body using a combination of radio waves and powerful magnetic fields. 

Duties and impact 

MRI technologists are critical to diagnosing internal conditions, such as brain tumors, infections, and anomalous brain activity like that resulting from strokes, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Some of the most common duties MRI techs perform include:

• Maintaining imaging equipment 

• Preparing patients for MRI scans 

• Working with physicians to identify where you should scan patients

• Operating imaging equipment during scans 

• Maintaining relevant patient records 

MRI technologist salary and job outlook 

Their skill set, combined with a growing need for health care professionals, means that MRI technologists are in demand and command a higher-than-average salary. 

How much do MRI techs make? 

Those entering the MRI technologist field can expect a higher-than-average salary. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologic and MRI technologists made a median annual salary of $78,980 [1]. 

MRI technologist job outlook 

The outlook for MRI technologists is positive, with overall job growth expected to increase by 8 percent between 2023 and 2033. During this period, the BLS notes that approximately 16,000 new jobs will open each year, indicating a healthy need for radiologic and MRI technologists for the foreseeable future [2].

A key driver for this need is an aging US population of baby boomers susceptible to conditions like Alzheimer’s, which require imaging technology to diagnose and monitor. 

How long do MRI technologist programs take?

The process of becoming an MRI tech generally takes three to five years, depending on your previous qualifications. After receiving a minimum of an associate degree, which takes two years on average to complete, you need to complete one to two additional years in a specialized MRI tech certification program.

How to become an MRI technologist 

Typically, MRI technologists have an associate degree in a related field of study, like an Associate of Science in MRI Technology. Depending on the program, some degrees might even lead to a bachelor’s program.

While some recent graduates might be able to get an entry-level MRI technologist position upon graduation, many employers prefer to hire those with previous experience in a related field, such as radiologic technologists. Some states require MRI technologists to be certified or licensed to practice professionally. 

Get started as an MRI technologist with Coursera

MRI techs operate magnetic resonance imaging technology to provide scans that health care professionals use to diagnose internal conditions. Start preparing for your future as a health care professional by taking a flexible, online course like the University of Michigan’s Anatomy Specialization, which teaches the foundations of human anatomy, including the major organ systems, their functions, and their relationships within the body. 

The University of Pennsylvania’s Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us, meanwhile, introduces course takers to the ways that the vital signs—heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain—communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body.