Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree. MRI technologists also typically need several years of related work experience. Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified, but few states require licensure for MRI technologists. Regardless of state requirements, employers typically require or prefer to hire technologists who are certified. PayThe median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $95,480 in May 2025.The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $80,110 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,300 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiologic and MRI technologists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiologic and MRI technologists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $95,480 in May 2025.The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $80,110 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,300 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiologic and MRI technologists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiologic and MRI technologists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,300 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiologic and MRI technologists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiologic and MRI technologists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.
Work Environment
Radiologic and MRI technologists work in healthcare facilities, and more than half work in hospitals. Most radiologic and MRI technologists work full time.
How to Become a Radiologic or MRI Technologist
Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree. MRI technologists also typically need several years of related work experience. Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified, but few states require licensure for MRI technologists. Regardless of state requirements, employers typically require or prefer to hire technologists who are certified.
Pay
The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $95,480 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $80,110 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 15,300 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiologic and MRI technologists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiologic and MRI technologists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Radiologic and MRI technologists work in healthcare facilities, and more than half work in hospitals. Most radiologic and MRI technologists work full time.
How to Become a Radiologic or MRI Technologist
Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree. MRI technologists also typically need several years of related work experience. Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified, but few states require licensure for MRI technologists. Regardless of state requirements, employers typically require or prefer to hire technologists who are certified.
Pay
The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $95,480 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $80,110 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 15,300 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiologic and MRI technologists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiologic and MRI technologists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiologic and MRI technologists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiologic and MRI technologists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.