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.
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The Daily Work of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Take On?
Typical responsibilities of 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
Top magnetic resonance imaging technologists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- 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)
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 1,628,999 magnetic resonance imaging technologists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +2.7% over the projection horizon.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Pay
| 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 |
Pay can vary substantially 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 shift depending on where you work. Top regions by median wage:
| 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 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| 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 |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- 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)
Work Environment
The work environment for magnetic resonance imaging technologists is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Telephone Conversations
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Education and Training
Most 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), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
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)
Degree Programs
Aspiring magnetic resonance imaging technologists typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from 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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