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.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
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
How to Become a Radiologic or MRI Technologist Radiologic technologists must follow instructions exactly to get the images needed for diagnoses. Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree. MRI technologists may start out as radiologic technologists. 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.
Education
High school students who are interested in radiologic or MRI technology should take courses that focus on math and science, such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physics. An associate’s degree is the education typically required for radiologic and MRI technologists. There also are postsecondary education programs that lead to graduate certificates or bachelor’s degrees in healthcare and related fields and science technologies. Depending on the field of degree, education programs may include both academic study and clinical work. Coursework includes anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and protection, and image evaluation. Some states require candidates for licensure to complete an accredited program. Work Experience in a Related Occupation MRI technologists typically need less than 5 years of experience in a related occupation, most often from working as a radiologic technologist.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified. Few states require licensure for MRI technologists. Requirements vary by state. To become licensed, technologists usually must graduate from an accredited program and either pass a certification exam from the state or obtain certification from a credentialing organization. Technologists may be certified in multiple specialties. For specific licensure requirements for radiologic technologists and MRI technologists, contact the state’s health board. Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require it. Employers also may require or prefer that prospective technologists have certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS). Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
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. Employment The growing size of the older population and the rising prevalence of chronic disease will lead to greater demand for healthcare services, including diagnostic procedures. More radiologic and MRI technologists will be needed to perform the imaging exams that are essential for making diagnoses and creating treatment plans. Falls and associated injuries, such as broken bones or head trauma, are common in older people and require x rays or computed tomography (CT) scans to assess the extent of harm. In addition, MRI scans are useful for imaging various types of cancers, including of the brain, spine, and liver. As the number of falls and cancer cases rises, these technologists and technicians will be needed to operate the equipment that helps detect, assess, and diagnose these injuries and diseases. Radiologic and MRI Technologists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Magnetic resonance imaging technologists 8% Health technologists and technicians 7% Radiologic technologists and technicians 5% Radiologic and MRI technologists 5% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Radiologic and MRI Technologists Do
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.
Duties
Radiologic and MRI technologists typically do the following:
- Adjust and maintain imaging equipment
- Follow precise orders from physicians on what areas of the body to image
- Prepare patients for procedures, including taking a medical history and shielding exposed areas that do not need to be imaged
- Position the patient and the equipment in order to get the correct image
- Operate the computerized equipment to take the images
- Work with physicians to evaluate the images and to determine whether additional images need to be taken
- Keep detailed patient records
Radiologic technologists are trained in the use of different types of medical diagnostic equipment. They may choose to specialize, such as in x-ray, mammography, or computed tomography (CT) imaging. Some radiologic technologists provide a mixture for the patient to drink that allows soft tissue to be viewed on the images that the radiologist reviews.
MRI technologists specialize in magnetic resonance imaging scanners. They inject patients with contrast media, such as a dye, so that the images will show up on the scanner. The scanners use magnetic fields in combination with the contrast agent to produce images that a physician can use to diagnose medical problems.
For information about healthcare workers who specialize in other diagnostic equipment, see the profiles for nuclear medicine technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, and cardiovascular technologists and technicians.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists held about 43,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of magnetic resonance imaging technologists were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 61% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 17 |
| Offices of physicians | 14 |
| Outpatient care centers | 3 |
Radiologic technologists and technicians held about 234,200 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of radiologic technologists and technicians were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 60% |
| Offices of physicians | 17 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 7 |
| Outpatient care centers | 7 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 3 |
Radiologic and MRI technologists are often on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients, such as to help those who are injured.
Injuries and Illnesses
Like other healthcare workers, radiologic and MRI technologists may be exposed to infectious diseases. In addition, because radiologic technologists work with imaging equipment that uses radiation, they must wear badges that measure radiation levels in the radiation area. Detailed records are kept on their cumulative lifetime dose. Although radiation hazards exist in this occupation, they are minimized by the use of protective lead aprons, gloves, and other shielding devices and by the badges that monitor exposure to radiation.
Work Schedules
Most radiologic and MRI technologists work full time. Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergency situations, some technologists work evenings, weekends, or overnight.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Detail oriented. Radiologic and MRI technologists must follow instructions exactly to get the images needed for diagnoses. Interpersonal skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists work closely with patients who may be stressed or in pain. They must put patients at ease to get usable images. Math skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists may need to calculate the proper amount of radiation or magnetic resonance emitted in imaging procedures. Physical stamina. Radiologic and MRI technologists often work on their feet for long periods during their shift and must be able to lift and move patients who need help. Technical skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists must understand how to operate complex machinery.
More Information
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.
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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.