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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists: Job Description
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.
The Daily Work of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Perform?
The core tasks performed by magnetic resonance imaging technologists cover:
- Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
- Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
- Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.
- Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.
- Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
- Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging.
- Take brief medical histories from patients.
- Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful magnetic resonance imaging technologists combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- 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)
How Many Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Are There?
There are roughly 1,628,999 magnetic resonance imaging technologists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +2.7% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $48,543 |
| Hourly median | $23.34 |
| 10th percentile | $33,393 |
| 25th percentile | $40,968 |
| 75th percentile | $56,118 |
| 90th percentile | $63,693 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,470 |
| Hawaii | $122,060 |
| Washington | $114,430 |
| District of Columbia | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $110,160 |
| Delaware | $106,070 |
| New York | $104,740 |
| Massachusetts | $104,430 |
| Rhode Island | $104,160 |
| Maryland | $102,760 |
| Alaska | $102,690 |
| Idaho | $102,090 |
| New Hampshire | $101,590 |
| Connecticut | $101,460 |
| Colorado | $100,560 |
| New Jersey | $99,660 |
| Minnesota | $99,660 |
| Vermont | $99,360 |
| Nevada | $98,930 |
| Arizona | $97,160 |
| Virginia | $95,300 |
| Texas | $90,090 |
| New Mexico | $88,530 |
| Wyoming | $88,500 |
| Illinois | $87,630 |
| Georgia | $87,170 |
| Wisconsin | $86,720 |
| Utah | $86,680 |
| Maine | $86,340 |
| West Virginia | $83,670 |
| Montana | $83,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,560 |
| North Carolina | $83,450 |
| Indiana | $82,960 |
| Oklahoma | $82,870 |
| Michigan | $81,790 |
| Ohio | $81,030 |
| Kentucky | $80,920 |
| South Carolina | $80,890 |
| Florida | $80,680 |
| Missouri | $80,490 |
| Nebraska | $79,410 |
| Kansas | $78,580 |
| Tennessee | $77,610 |
| North Dakota | $77,100 |
| Iowa | $76,340 |
| Alabama | $74,920 |
| Arkansas | $73,260 |
| Mississippi | $72,620 |
| Louisiana | $71,730 |
| South Dakota | $66,870 |
| Puerto Rico | $41,960 |
Where Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Earn the Most
Earnings for magnetic resonance imaging technologists differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $117,843 | 12.5% | 0.76 |
| New England | $102,122 | 6.2% | 1.31 |
| Middle Atlantic | $97,941 | 17.9% | 1.17 |
| Rocky Mountains | $95,170 | 3.2% | 0.81 |
| Southwest | $90,728 | 8.4% | 0.68 |
| Great Lakes | $84,450 | 17.1% | 1.29 |
| Plains States | $83,444 | 7.9% | 1.30 |
| Southeast | $82,023 | 26.6% | 1.09 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $170,590 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $170,290 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $147,480 | 370 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $133,870 | 220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $125,390 | 440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $123,850 | 270 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $122,870 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | CA | $119,760 | 40 |
Which Industries Hire Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
The largest employers of magnetic resonance imaging technologists are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 40,020 | $88,440 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 670 | $81,840 |
| Educational Services | 280 | $94,410 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 100 | n/a |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 30 | $92,350 |
Below are examples of industries where magnetic resonance imaging technologists work:
Tech Stack
- Medical software: eClinicalWorks EHR software (hot technology)
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
Daily working conditions for magnetic resonance imaging technologists is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
Getting Started in This Career
Typical magnetic resonance imaging technologists positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Anesthesiologist Assistants (Supplemental)
- Radiation Therapists (Primary-Long)
- Respiratory Therapists (Primary-Long)
- Cardiologists (Supplemental)
- Radiologists (Supplemental)
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (Supplemental)
- Pediatric Surgeons (Supplemental)
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Aspiring magnetic resonance imaging technologists often complete programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-2035.00 (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists).
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