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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.
Other titles employers use
MRI Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coordinator) · MRI QA Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quality Assurance Coordinator) · MRI Radiographer (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiographer) · 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) · Computed Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CT/MRI) Technologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
- Medicine and Dentistry
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.9 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.6 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A two-year degree 65%
- A certificate or some college 17%
- A four-year degree 9%
- High school or less 5%
- A master's degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,880
- Job openings each year
- 310
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 16.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 4,880 | 310 | 16.5% |
| California | 4,200 | 270 | 16.7% |
| New York | 3,310 | 70 | 26.8% |
| Texas | 3,090 | 200 | 19.3% |
| Illinois | 2,500 | 130 | 1.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,400 | 140 | 5.3% |
| Michigan | 1,740 | 100 | 4.2% |
| Missouri | 1,730 | 110 | 11.6% |
| Ohio | 1,710 | 100 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 1,580 | 100 | 19.7% |
| North Carolina | 1,270 | 80 | 17.6% |
| Virginia | 1,250 | 70 | 6.8% |
| New Jersey | 1,190 | 70 | 11.2% |
| Arizona | 1,030 | 70 | 27.2% |
| Minnesota | 1,020 | 60 | 10.9% |
| Washington | 980 | 70 | 12.6% |
| Massachusetts | 950 | 50 | 5.6% |
| Maryland | 860 | 50 | 11.7% |
| Louisiana | 820 | 50 | 7.9% |
| Indiana | 810 | 50 | 3.8% |
| Tennessee | 770 | 40 | 8.5% |
| Alabama | 740 | 40 | 10.4% |
| Wisconsin | 710 | 40 | 10.9% |
| Colorado | 700 | 50 | 18.6% |
| Oregon | 570 | 40 | 11.8% |
| South Carolina | 510 | 30 | 10.9% |
| Oklahoma | 500 | 30 | 4.2% |
| Kentucky | 480 | 30 | 6.7% |
| Utah | 450 | 30 | 28.6% |
| Arkansas | 400 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Nevada | 400 | 30 | 17.6% |
| Rhode Island | 360 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Connecticut | 330 | 20 | 13.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 300 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Kansas | 270 | 20 | 3.8% |
| Iowa | 260 | 10 | 13.0% |
| New Hampshire | 260 | 20 | 8.3% |
| Delaware | 250 | 20 | 19.0% |
| Idaho | 250 | 20 | 25.0% |
| District of Columbia | 240 | 10 | 4.3% |
| Mississippi | 240 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Nebraska | 240 | 10 | 4.3% |
| South Dakota | 200 | 10 | 17.6% |
| West Virginia | 200 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 190 | 10 | 26.7% |
| Maine | 150 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Montana | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Alaska | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Wyoming | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Vermont | 60 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Boise State University
- Degrees each year
- 272
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Midwestern State University
- Degrees each year
- 218
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 168
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 93
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 87
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Sacred Heart University
- Degrees each year
- 86
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $42,000
Georgia Southern University
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
MCPHS University
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $38,000
Compare every college offering allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions