# Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/magnetic-resonance-imaging-technologists
- SOC code: 29-2035.00
- Career family: Healthcare practitioners
- Median annual pay: $95,480 (10th percentile $68,890, 90th percentile $127,670)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +7.7%
- Openings a year: 2,300
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 63 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 42 |
| Enterprising (E) | 5 |
| Conventional (C) | 65 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 88/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 87/100)
- Assisting and Caring for Others (importance 86/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 81/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 80/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 79/100)
- Getting Information (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 75/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 74/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Operation and Control, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Service Orientation

## Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Physics, Computers and Electronics, Medicine and Dentistry, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Biology, Psychology, Administrative

## Also called

Imaging Technologist, MRI Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coordinator), MRI QA Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quality Assurance Coordinator), MRI Radiographer (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiographer), MRI Special Procedures Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Special Procedures Technologist), MRI Specialist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist), MRI Tech (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician), MRI Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist), Research MRI Technologist (Research Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist), Travel MRI Tech (Travel Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5109) (CIP 5109, 1,504 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Wagner College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wagner-college-3148) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | not reported | $156,982 | $27,000 |
| [St. John's University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/st-john-s-university-new-york-2579) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $102,500 | $142,774 | $23,325 |
| [John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/college/john-patrick-university-of-health-and-applied-sciences-1341) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $112,673 | $122,061 | $23,437 |
| [Saint Francis University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/saint-francis-university-2301) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | not reported | $115,813 | $28,000 |
| [D'Youville University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/d-youville-university-755) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $113,290 | $114,737 | $30,703 |
| [Molloy College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/molloy-college-1749) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $90,567 | $111,267 | not reported |
| [Salisbury University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/salisbury-university-2329) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $75,312 | $109,739 | $23,250 |
| [Long Island University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/long-island-university-1520) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $90,526 | $107,539 | $22,000 |

## Related careers

- [Radiologic Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/radiologic-technologists-and-technicians): $80,110 median pay
- [Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cardiovascular-technologists-and-technicians): $74,310 median pay
- [Diagnostic Medical Sonographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/diagnostic-medical-sonographers): $96,590 median pay
- [Nuclear Medicine Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nuclear-medicine-technologists): $101,370 median pay
- [Neurodiagnostic Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/neurodiagnostic-technologists): $50,290 median pay
- [Radiation Therapists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/radiation-therapists): $105,310 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.