MRI tech salary
BLS occupation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists · also called MRI technologist · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $95,480 a year, US
Median hourly pay $45.91 an hour
Middle half earn $81,040–$106,340 25th to 75th percentile
MRI techs employed 43,390 +7.7% projected by 2035
How much does an MRI tech make?
- The median MRI tech salary in the US is $95,480 a year ($45.91 an hour): half of the 43,390 MRI techs BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $96,120.
- The middle half earn between $81,040 and $106,340. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $68,890 and the top 10% more than $127,670.
- That is 87% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays MRI techs the most (median $128,710), followed by California ($124,000) and Washington ($122,750). Mississippi pays the least ($71,710).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Oregon, where the median is worth $117,956 in typical US prices, then Alaska and the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia's higher pay is offset by its prices (109.9 vs a US average of 100).
- In 162 of the 171 metro areas with data, the median MRI tech salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of MRI techs to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 2,300 openings a year. The typical entry education is an associate's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what MRI techs are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
MRI tech salary range
Half of MRI techs earn between $81,040 and $106,340 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $68,890
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $81,040
Median Yearly pay: $95,480
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $106,340
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $127,670
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $68,890 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $81,040 |
| Median | $95,480 |
| Top 25% earn over | $106,340 |
| Top 10% earn over | $127,670 |
MRI tech salary by state
The District of Columbia pays MRI techs the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($95,480), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $128,710 median |
| California | $124,000 median |
| Washington | $122,750 median |
| Oregon | $121,920 median |
| Alaska | $120,610 median |
| Hawaii | $119,370 median |
| New York | $113,270 median |
| Massachusetts | $110,600 median |
| Connecticut | $106,330 median |
| New Hampshire | $105,420 median |
| Colorado | $105,380 median |
| Maryland | $105,230 median |
| Rhode Island | $105,060 median |
| New Jersey | $103,930 median |
| Delaware | $103,510 median |
| Vermont | $103,070 median |
| Idaho | $101,680 median |
| Minnesota | $100,900 median |
| Arizona | $100,600 median |
| Virginia | $98,640 median |
| Nevada | $98,260 median |
| Texas | $96,780 median |
| Illinois | $95,380 median |
| Wisconsin | $94,720 median |
| Maine | $94,140 median |
| Georgia | $92,060 median |
| Wyoming | $92,010 median |
| Utah | $91,150 median |
| Pennsylvania | $91,120 median |
| New Mexico | $87,850 median |
| Ohio | $87,670 median |
| Oklahoma | $87,480 median |
| Montana | $86,950 median |
| Indiana | $86,880 median |
| North Carolina | $85,120 median |
| Michigan | $84,620 median |
| Florida | $84,330 median |
| South Carolina | $83,550 median |
| Missouri | $83,110 median |
| Nebraska | $82,710 median |
| Kansas | $82,670 median |
| Kentucky | $82,200 median |
| Iowa | $81,420 median |
| North Dakota | $80,610 median |
| West Virginia | $80,490 median |
| Alabama | $78,890 median |
| Arkansas | $78,780 median |
| Tennessee | $78,610 median |
| Louisiana | $77,510 median |
| South Dakota | $77,010 median |
| Mississippi | $71,710 median |
Where MRI tech pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
MRI techs' pay goes furthest in Oregon once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $117,956 |
| Alaska | $117,830 |
| District of Columbia | $117,114 |
| Washington | $114,706 |
| California | $111,994 |
| Hawaii | $108,567 |
| Idaho | $106,478 |
| Vermont | $105,219 |
| New York | $104,956 |
| Massachusetts | $104,579 |
MRI tech pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $128,710 | $61.88 | $89,120 | $134,950 | 150 | $117,114 |
| California | $124,000 | $59.62 | $74,360 | $174,030 | 3,570 | $111,994 |
| Washington | $122,750 | $59.01 | $78,350 | $160,320 | 960 | $114,706 |
| Oregon | $121,920 | $58.62 | $99,110 | $131,680 | 510 | $117,956 |
| Alaska | $120,610 | $57.99 | $96,180 | $127,010 | 100 | $117,830 |
| Hawaii | $119,370 | $57.39 | $62,120 | $130,040 | 140 | $108,567 |
| New York | $113,270 | $54.46 | $81,180 | $133,420 | 3,240 | $104,956 |
| Massachusetts | $110,600 | $53.17 | $62,360 | $146,880 | 1,490 | $104,579 |
| Connecticut | $106,330 | $51.12 | $81,030 | $130,960 | 450 | $102,625 |
| New Hampshire | $105,420 | $50.68 | $79,800 | $119,030 | 270 | $101,205 |
| Colorado | $105,380 | $50.66 | $84,460 | $122,980 | 670 | $102,259 |
| Maryland | $105,230 | $50.59 | $86,430 | $123,230 | 770 | $100,258 |
| Rhode Island | $105,060 | $50.51 | $83,770 | $130,820 | 140 | $102,718 |
| New Jersey | $103,930 | $49.97 | $80,850 | $130,800 | 1,250 | $95,520 |
| Delaware | $103,510 | $49.76 | $80,350 | $117,110 | 170 | $103,709 |
| Vermont | $103,070 | $49.55 | $83,340 | $132,270 | 60 | $105,219 |
| Idaho | $101,680 | $48.88 | $82,820 | $124,470 | 170 | $106,478 |
| Minnesota | $100,900 | $48.51 | $83,200 | $111,600 | 710 | $102,311 |
| Arizona | $100,600 | $48.37 | $81,380 | $123,040 | 730 | $99,924 |
| Virginia | $98,640 | $47.42 | $78,400 | $121,940 | 1,070 | $97,563 |
| Nevada | $98,260 | $47.24 | $84,610 | $124,120 | 340 | $98,281 |
| Texas | $96,780 | $46.53 | $76,920 | $114,160 | 2,930 | $99,715 |
| Illinois | $95,380 | $45.86 | $77,410 | $109,550 | 2,760 | $95,420 |
| Wisconsin | $94,720 | $45.54 | $76,140 | $105,410 | 530 | $100,664 |
| Maine | $94,140 | $45.26 | $78,610 | $108,470 | 210 | $97,002 |
| Georgia | $92,060 | $44.26 | $63,970 | $109,200 | 1,800 | $95,604 |
| Wyoming | $92,010 | $44.24 | $67,170 | $105,660 | 70 | $99,265 |
| Utah | $91,150 | $43.82 | $80,920 | $109,830 | 300 | $92,197 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,120 | $43.81 | $51,280 | $107,990 | 2,250 | $93,387 |
| New Mexico | $87,850 | $42.24 | $75,030 | $99,550 | 140 | $95,270 |
| Ohio | $87,670 | $42.15 | $74,310 | $101,860 | 1,840 | $94,498 |
| Oklahoma | $87,480 | $42.06 | $76,950 | $101,680 | 400 | $99,587 |
| Montana | $86,950 | $41.80 | $72,030 | $101,020 | 150 | $91,870 |
| Indiana | $86,880 | $41.77 | $64,300 | $102,690 | 1,030 | $93,090 |
| North Carolina | $85,120 | $40.92 | $63,940 | $101,240 | 1,180 | $90,240 |
| Michigan | $84,620 | $40.68 | $73,130 | $96,700 | 1,270 | $87,947 |
| Florida | $84,330 | $40.54 | $65,000 | $102,610 | 2,860 | $81,546 |
| South Carolina | $83,550 | $40.17 | $65,980 | $96,230 | 730 | $89,121 |
| Missouri | $83,110 | $39.96 | $65,400 | $99,130 | 1,040 | $91,514 |
| Nebraska | $82,710 | $39.76 | $66,960 | $101,070 | 290 | $91,795 |
| Kansas | $82,670 | $39.75 | $65,890 | $102,490 | 330 | $91,786 |
| Kentucky | $82,200 | $39.52 | $66,170 | $101,760 | 650 | $91,172 |
| Iowa | $81,420 | $39.14 | $64,290 | $98,780 | 220 | $92,774 |
| North Dakota | $80,610 | $38.75 | $69,180 | $95,800 | 70 | $90,615 |
| West Virginia | $80,490 | $38.70 | $65,390 | $97,840 | 190 | $89,936 |
| Alabama | $78,890 | $37.93 | $60,560 | $96,880 | 490 | $88,817 |
| Arkansas | $78,780 | $37.88 | $61,910 | $97,570 | 380 | $90,617 |
| Tennessee | $78,610 | $37.79 | $62,310 | $97,870 | 1,350 | $85,567 |
| Louisiana | $77,510 | $37.26 | $50,830 | $99,060 | 510 | $87,873 |
| South Dakota | $77,010 | $37.02 | $51,160 | $97,660 | 210 | $86,932 |
| Mississippi | $71,710 | $34.48 | $54,080 | $82,730 | 250 | $82,470 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
MRI tech salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes MRI tech pay: 173 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $176,950
- Vallejo, CA $176,650
- San Francisco, CA $146,260
- Sacramento, CA $144,810
- Seattle, WA $130,460
- Modesto, CA $126,980
- Santa Maria, CA $125,660
- Boston, MA $123,910
- San Diego, CA $123,080
- Bridgeport, CT $121,930
Where the pay goes furthest
- Vallejo, CA $162,843
- San Jose, CA $160,247
- Sacramento, CA $135,755
- San Francisco, CA $126,508
- Modesto, CA $121,969
- Salem, OR $117,628
- Seattle, WA $117,391
- Santa Maria, CA $115,498
- Anchorage, AK $115,405
- Olympia, WA $115,086
All 173 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $176,950 | 220 | $160,247 | 26% |
| Vallejo, CA | $176,650 | 30 | $162,843 | 17% |
| San Francisco, CA | $146,260 | 420 | $126,508 | 28% |
| Sacramento, CA | $144,810 | 220 | $135,755 | 19% |
| Seattle, WA | $130,460 | 460 | $117,391 | 21% |
| Modesto, CA | $126,980 | 50 | $121,969 | 20% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $125,660 | 30 | $115,498 | 31% |
| Boston, MA | $123,910 | 1,160 | $114,450 | 29% |
| San Diego, CA | $123,080 | 320 | $110,004 | 29% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $121,930 | 80 | $114,098 | 28% |
| Salem, OR | $121,920 | 30 | $117,628 | 16% |
| Anchorage, AK | $121,660 | 70 | $115,405 | 19% |
| Portland, OR | $120,650 | 330 | $114,446 | 18% |
| Honolulu, HI | $119,370 | 110 | $107,578 | 30% |
| Olympia, WA | $119,310 | 40 | $115,086 | 21% |
| New York, NY | $118,360 | 3,020 | $105,150 | 36% |
| Eugene, OR | $112,370 | 50 | $110,635 | 19% |
| Boulder, CO | $111,020 | 60 | $105,530 | 24% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $109,800 | 1,290 | $96,684 | 32% |
| Washington, DC | $109,110 | 810 | $100,208 | 26% |
| New Haven, CT | $108,770 | 110 | $104,027 | 23% |
| Spokane, WA | $108,560 | 120 | $108,186 | 17% |
| Stockton, CA | $108,410 | 40 | $103,160 | 27% |
| Providence, RI | $107,650 | 200 | $105,775 | 24% |
| Reno, NV | $106,800 | 80 | $105,728 | 23% |
| Fresno, CA | $106,710 | 130 | $104,456 | 23% |
| Tucson, AZ | $106,120 | 80 | $109,519 | 17% |
| Riverside, CA | $106,010 | 320 | $99,594 | 29% |
| Denver, CO | $105,920 | 330 | $100,130 | 22% |
| Springfield, MA | $105,910 | 60 | $110,253 | 22% |
| Waterbury, CT | $105,800 | 50 | $106,035 | – |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $105,710 | 90 | $96,608 | 26% |
| Manchester, NH | $105,470 | 120 | $99,823 | 25% |
| Worcester, MA | $104,940 | 180 | $102,358 | 24% |
| Yakima, WA | $104,390 | 40 | $109,257 | 16% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $104,320 | 430 | $99,521 | 20% |
| Vineland, NJ | $103,100 | 50 | $107,432 | 19% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $103,080 | – | $101,930 | 23% |
| Baltimore, MD | $102,860 | 350 | $98,443 | 23% |
| Hartford, CT | $102,810 | 170 | $100,062 | 23% |
| Houston, TX | $102,570 | 820 | $103,996 | 19% |
| Dallas, TX | $102,490 | 950 | $99,418 | 19% |
| Trenton, NJ | $102,450 | 60 | $99,292 | 30% |
| Boise, ID | $102,270 | 80 | $103,942 | 23% |
| Albany, NY | $102,120 | 130 | $102,565 | 20% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $101,350 | 80 | $100,638 | 21% |
| Rochester, MN | $100,900 | 50 | $111,098 | 19% |
| Chicago, IL | $100,730 | 1,930 | $97,234 | 26% |
| Syracuse, NY | $100,450 | 90 | $104,917 | 19% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $100,420 | 60 | $101,581 | 24% |
| Atlanta, GA | $100,180 | 1,010 | $100,122 | 22% |
| Reading, PA | $100,110 | 40 | $103,142 | 19% |
| Allentown, PA | $99,730 | 250 | $99,762 | 22% |
| Michigan City, IN | $98,740 | 30 | $107,698 | 15% |
| Richmond, VA | $98,680 | 160 | $100,840 | 21% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $98,620 | 1,160 | $96,164 | 23% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $98,550 | 60 | $97,685 | 22% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $97,940 | 580 | $94,797 | 21% |
| Provo, UT | $97,890 | 40 | $99,652 | 22% |
| Portland, ME | $97,420 | 80 | $95,643 | 28% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $97,070 | 190 | $100,137 | 19% |
| Duluth, MN | $96,980 | 40 | $109,251 | 16% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $96,950 | 240 | $96,742 | 21% |
| Killeen, TX | $96,860 | 50 | $106,285 | 16% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $95,950 | 160 | $97,967 | 24% |
| Lafayette, IN | $95,810 | 40 | $102,547 | 18% |
| Utica, NY | $95,040 | 30 | $102,549 | 18% |
| Rockford, IL | $94,860 | 100 | $102,936 | 16% |
| Louisville, KY | $94,630 | 210 | $101,672 | 17% |
| Madison, WI | $94,620 | 40 | $97,259 | 23% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $94,420 | 90 | $92,253 | 23% |
| San Antonio, TX | $94,350 | 190 | $99,614 | 18% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $93,600 | 490 | $98,144 | 20% |
| Austin, TX | $93,490 | 260 | $95,334 | 21% |
| Bangor, ME | $92,460 | 40 | $95,806 | 20% |
| Athens, GA | $92,060 | 50 | $98,625 | 23% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $92,050 | 210 | $101,816 | 18% |
| Akron, OH | $91,970 | 130 | $98,501 | 17% |
| Naples, FL | $91,270 | 80 | $88,440 | 34% |
| Miami, FL | $91,170 | 800 | $79,865 | 35% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $91,150 | 150 | $90,366 | 22% |
| Charlotte, NC | $90,930 | 280 | $93,407 | 23% |
| Columbus, OH | $90,530 | 380 | $94,827 | 20% |
| Buffalo, NY | $90,140 | 200 | $94,049 | 19% |
| Canton, OH | $89,350 | 50 | $99,937 | 15% |
| Huntington, WV | $89,010 | 60 | $100,665 | 15% |
| South Bend, IN | $88,910 | 70 | $95,748 | 17% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $88,320 | 300 | $92,292 | 21% |
| Savannah, GA | $88,230 | 50 | $92,673 | 24% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $87,850 | 90 | $91,945 | 20% |
| Cleveland, OH | $87,670 | 380 | $93,342 | 20% |
| Tulsa, OK | $87,450 | 110 | $98,023 | 19% |
| Dayton, OH | $87,190 | 150 | $94,062 | 18% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $86,870 | 130 | $94,380 | 21% |
| Tyler, TX | $86,840 | 40 | $94,232 | 18% |
| Greenville, SC | $86,370 | 130 | $92,612 | 22% |
| Hickory, NC | $86,130 | 30 | $97,337 | 22% |
| Detroit, MI | $86,110 | 560 | $85,854 | 21% |
| Oxnard, CA | $86,050 | 50 | $77,849 | 41% |
| Elkhart, IN | $85,730 | 40 | $94,913 | 17% |
| Columbia, SC | $85,560 | 130 | $91,350 | 22% |
| Pensacola, FL | $85,560 | 60 | $87,559 | 24% |
| Lakeland, FL | $85,530 | 70 | $88,047 | 25% |
| Green Bay, WI | $85,390 | 50 | $91,732 | 16% |
| Ogden, UT | $85,350 | 60 | $85,053 | 23% |
| Charleston, SC | $85,270 | 170 | $84,458 | 29% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $85,240 | 60 | $91,028 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $85,230 | 60 | $83,219 | 30% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $85,140 | 160 | $86,305 | 21% |
| Des Moines, IA | $85,070 | 60 | $92,769 | 18% |
| Springfield, IL | $85,060 | 100 | $91,714 | 17% |
| Birmingham, AL | $84,290 | 150 | $91,975 | 20% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $84,280 | 70 | $92,840 | 19% |
| Kansas City, MO | $84,040 | 390 | $90,812 | 22% |
| Billings, MT | $84,010 | 40 | $89,825 | 20% |
| Orlando, FL | $83,980 | 350 | $82,806 | 28% |
| Wilmington, NC | $83,650 | 70 | $86,754 | 25% |
| St. Louis, MO | $83,330 | 480 | $87,635 | 21% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $83,290 | 80 | $89,973 | 18% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $83,170 | 240 | $83,601 | 24% |
| Raleigh, NC | $83,030 | 130 | $84,589 | 24% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $82,920 | 80 | $82,916 | 27% |
| Winchester, VA | $82,900 | 40 | $85,951 | 26% |
| Lancaster, PA | $82,830 | 130 | $84,299 | 23% |
| Omaha, NE | $82,710 | 170 | $89,989 | 20% |
| Tampa, FL | $82,690 | 540 | $81,961 | 29% |
| York, PA | $82,520 | 100 | $85,958 | 20% |
| Nashville, TN | $82,470 | 350 | $85,605 | 26% |
| Asheville, NC | $82,250 | 50 | $85,228 | 25% |
| Augusta, GA | $82,200 | 90 | $89,442 | 21% |
| Greensboro, NC | $81,890 | 60 | $88,182 | 21% |
| Rapid City, SD | $81,840 | 50 | $91,790 | 21% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $81,830 | 60 | $81,644 | 34% |
| McAllen, TX | $81,650 | 50 | $95,058 | 16% |
| Toledo, OH | $81,610 | 80 | $89,235 | 19% |
| Evansville, IN | $81,450 | 60 | $88,989 | 16% |
| Deltona, FL | $81,320 | 60 | $81,838 | 26% |
| Huntsville, AL | $81,270 | 110 | $87,319 | 20% |
| Slidell, LA | $81,220 | 40 | $87,591 | – |
| Rochester, NY | $81,180 | 250 | $83,661 | 23% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $81,140 | 170 | $84,922 | 24% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $81,120 | 60 | $88,798 | 23% |
| Bloomington, IL | $81,070 | 40 | $86,672 | 19% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $81,040 | 310 | $85,602 | 22% |
| Bloomington, IN | $80,860 | 30 | $85,041 | 26% |
| Memphis, TN | $80,790 | 270 | $87,645 | 21% |
| Lincoln, NE | $80,420 | 50 | $87,813 | 19% |
| Lexington, KY | $80,410 | 80 | $86,566 | 24% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $80,390 | 30 | $86,748 | 21% |
| Youngstown, OH | $80,030 | 40 | $91,574 | 16% |
| Little Rock, AR | $79,840 | 150 | $89,342 | 19% |
| Ocala, FL | $79,750 | 50 | $83,741 | 24% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $79,510 | 40 | $92,587 | 19% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $79,460 | 30 | $86,390 | 22% |
| Peoria, IL | $79,090 | 120 | $86,692 | 18% |
| New Orleans, LA | $79,030 | 130 | $85,348 | 24% |
| Flint, MI | $78,790 | 50 | $84,689 | 16% |
| Fargo, ND | $78,780 | 30 | $86,694 | 17% |
| El Paso, TX | $78,410 | 70 | $87,207 | 23% |
| Davenport, IA | $78,350 | 30 | $87,956 | 15% |
| Springfield, MO | $77,290 | 80 | $87,250 | 19% |
| Lubbock, TX | $77,140 | 30 | $84,475 | 21% |
| Knoxville, TN | $77,080 | 190 | $83,268 | 27% |
| Columbia, MO | $76,930 | 60 | $86,015 | 23% |
| Dalton, GA | $76,920 | 50 | $85,615 | 22% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $76,840 | 170 | $84,011 | 24% |
| Crestview, FL | $76,500 | 40 | $78,841 | 31% |
| Jackson, MS | $76,310 | 90 | $85,695 | 23% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $75,510 | 120 | $83,316 | 20% |
| Wichita, KS | $75,310 | 70 | $84,669 | 19% |
| Kingsport, TN | $74,910 | 80 | $86,654 | 21% |
| Mobile, AL | $73,190 | 70 | $83,078 | 21% |
| Joplin, MO | $70,480 | 40 | $82,223 | 21% |
What the median MRI tech salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $95,480 |
| Month | $7,957 |
| Every two weeks | $3,672 |
| Week | $1,836 |
| Hour | $45.91 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an MRI tech: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | Less than 5 years |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +7.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 2,300 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Radiology tech | $80,110 | Associate's degree |
| Surgical tech | $64,650 | Postsecondary certificate |
Questions about MRI tech pay
How much does an MRI tech make an hour?
The median is $45.91 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33.12 and the top 10% over $61.38.
How much does an MRI tech make a month?
About $7,957 a month before taxes at the median salary of $95,480, or $3,672 every two weeks.
What state pays MRI techs the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $128,710. California ($124,000), Washington ($122,750), Oregon ($121,920) and Alaska ($120,610) follow.
Where do MRI techs make the most after cost of living?
Oregon: its median of $121,920 is worth $117,956 at typical US prices. Alaska, the District of Columbia and Washington come next.
How much do entry-level MRI techs make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of MRI techs earn under $68,890 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $81,040, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an MRI tech?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as an associate's degree. Work experience in a related job: less than 5 years. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-2035 (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.