Occupations · Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 29-2035.00

$88,180median annual wage, May 2024

41,530people employed, United States

▲ 7.1%projected change, 2024→2034

2,600openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 35% between 2012 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$109,480	2,870
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$97,110	1,940
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$105,720	1,200
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$114,380	1,140
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$96,010	1,020
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$107,460	880
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$88,750	820
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$95,090	790
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	$97,150	760
St. Louis, MO-IL	$81,510	720
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$82,800	650
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	$97,160	570

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Associate's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
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.
Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head.
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.
Intravenously inject contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice.
Test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to ensure proper functioning and performance in accordance with specifications.
Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension3.9

Active Listening3.8

Monitoring3.8

Speaking3.6

Critical Thinking3.4

Writing3.1

Active Learning3.1

Science2.8

Learning Strategies2.8

Mathematics2.6

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

MEDITECH software●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Word●eClinicalWorks EHR software●Appointment scheduling softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareGE Healthcare Centricity EMRMedical image processing softwareRadiology information systems (RIS)Teleradiology systemsWeb browser software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Disease or Infections+2.3 above average

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment+1.8 above average

Health and Safety of Other Workers+1.4 above average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures−1.2 below average

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable+1.2 above average

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People+1.1 above average

Exposed to Contaminants−1.1 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2023-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)65%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)13%

Bachelor's Degree9%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.4%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2023-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic5.5

Conventional4.9

Investigative4.8

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Comfort patients during exams or request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia.
Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.

O*NET 27.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Operations Monitoring3.6

Operation and Control3.2

Complex Problem Solving3.1

Service Orientation3.1

Social Perceptiveness3.1

Time Management3.0

Instructing3.0

Coordination3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePhysicsComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and SecurityMedicine and Dentistry

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionNear VisionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionProblem SensitivityWritten Expression

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

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

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 6

+MEDITECH software+GE Healthcare Centricity EMR+eClinicalWorks EHR software+Microsoft Office software+Microsoft Excel+Microsoft Word

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

TechnologistStaff TechnologistImaging TechnologistMedical Imaging DirectorLead Technologist/ManagerSenior Staff TechnologistMRI Special Procedures TechnologistMagnetic Resonance Imaging DirectorMagnetic Resonance Imaging MRI SupervisorMagnetic Resonance Imaging MRI SpecialistMagnetic Resonance Imaging MRI RadiographerMagnetic Resonance Imaging MRI Technologist

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
radiographer	2269.8	close
diagnostic radiographer	2269.8.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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