# Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

US SOC code 29-2035. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-2035

Also called: MRI technologist, MRI tech, MR technologist, MR tech, Magnetic resonance technologist.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **43,390** US magnetic resonance imaging technologists, with median pay of **$95,480** a year. Of the BLS counts since 2012, the May 2025 count is the highest. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3488645/) of **2,000** from 1985, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for magnetic resonance imaging technologists: AI safety tools and implant management platforms, 2018 to 2022.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2035&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **22.2%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35. BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend. In May 2021 BLS changed how it estimates these counts (a model-based method using three years of survey data) and moved fully to the 2018 occupation codes, so part of a change across 2021 can come from the method rather than the work.

## Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1977
- Latest US employment: 43,390 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [4]
- Latest US median pay: $95,480 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [6]
- Outlook: +7.7% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [22]

### All 19 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1985 | 2,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., Steinberg EP (1986) [1] |
| 1993 | 12,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., Aeon Health [2] |
| 1995 | n/a | $36,000 (estimate) | Est., ASRT Radiologic Technologist Wage and… [5] |
| 2000 | 27,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., BLS OOH [3] |
| 2001 | n/a | $46,000 (estimate) | Est., ASRT Radiologic Technologist Wage and… [5] |
| 2012 | 29,560 | $65,360 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [4] |
| 2013 | 32,000 | $66,050 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [4] |
| 2014 | 33,130 | $67,090 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [4] |
| 2015 | 33,460 | $67,720 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [4] |
| 2016 | 35,850 | $68,420 | BLS OEWS May 2016 [4] |
| 2017 | 37,490 | $69,930 | BLS OEWS May 2017 [4] |
| 2018 | 38,540 | $71,670 | BLS OEWS May 2018 [4] |
| 2019 | 37,900 | $73,410 | BLS OEWS May 2019 [4] |
| 2020 | 39,270 | $74,690 | BLS OEWS May 2020 [4] |
| 2021 | 38,070 | $77,360 | BLS OEWS May 2021 [4] |
| 2022 | 38,380 | $80,090 | BLS OEWS May 2022 [4] |
| 2023 | 41,340 | $83,740 | BLS OEWS May 2023 [4] |
| 2024 | 41,530 | $88,180 | BLS OEWS May 2024 [4] |
| 2025 | 43,390 | $95,480 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [4] |

## Sources (73)

### Employment series

1. [Steinberg EP (1986) — "The status of MRI in 1986: rates of adoption in the United States and worldwide" (AJR 147:453-457; 371 of 511 worldwide MRI imagers in US at end-1985)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3488645/), American Journal of Roentgenology / PubMed
2. [Aeon Health — "80 MRI Statistics: Usage, Market Share, and Cost" (fewer than 10 MRI scanners per million Americans in 1993; skyrocketed in early 1990s)](https://aeon.life/en/blog/mri-statistics/), Aeon Health
3. [BLS OOH — Radiologic and MRI Technologists: historical background on MRI technologist occupational separation (2000 SOC; 29-2035 first tracked in BLS OEWS starting 2003)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
4. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)

### Wage series

5. [ASRT Radiologic Technologist Wage and Salary Survey 2001 (earliest ASRT survey reporting MRI as distinct salary category; historical trend implies ~$36,000 median circa 1995)](https://www.asrt.org/docs/default-source/research/salary_survey.pdf), American Society of Radiologic Technologists
6. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
7. [BLS OEWS May 2024, national cross-industry estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Tool eras

8. [Raymond Damadian — Wikipedia (July 3, 1977 first whole-body human MRI scan; Indomitable machine; Minkoff/Goldsmith team; 5-hour acquisition)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Damadian), Wikipedia
9. [History of MRI (McCollege) — from nuclear magnetic resonance to commercial medical imaging (Bloch/Purcell 1940s NMR, Lauterbur 1973 imaging, Mansfield fast techniques, Damadian 1977 human scan)](https://mccollege.edu/aas-in-magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri-technology/about-the-mri-technology-career/the-history-of-the-mri-development-of-medical-resonance-imaging/), McCollege Health Sciences
10. [Steinberg EP (1986) — "The status of MRI in 1986: rates of adoption in the United States and worldwide" (AJR 147:453; 371 of 511 worldwide MRI scanners in US at end-1985; tripled in 1985 alone)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3488645/), American Journal of Roentgenology / PubMed
11. [Siemens Healthineers — "Magnetic resonance imaging: the long path to the patient" (MAGNETOM first clinical installation at Mallinckrodt Institute, St. Louis, August 1983)](https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/perspectives/history-of-mri), Siemens Healthineers
12. [ARMRIT About — founded 1991 as first MRI-specific credentialing body; mission: certify technologists trained on the job since MRI became available in 1983](https://www.armrit.org/about.php), American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
13. [ARRT — MR credential history: initially postprimary add-on for radiologic technologists; MR designated as independent primary credential in 2006, no longer requiring prior RT certification](https://www.arrt.org/pages/resources/earn-additional-credentials/earn-additional-credentials-postprimary/magnetic-resonance-imaging), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
14. [ARRT — MR designated as independent primary credential in 2006; no longer requires prior RT credential; MRI recognized as a distinct discipline not based on ionizing radiation](https://www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/credential-options/mri), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
15. [Aeon Health — "80 MRI Statistics: Usage, Market Share, and Cost" (MRI scanners per million Americans grew from under 10 in 1993 to 27 by 2004; continued growth through 2000s)](https://aeon.life/en/blog/mri-statistics/), Aeon Health
16. [IBMRS (formerly ABMRS) — MRSO (MRI Safety Officer) and MRSE (MRI Safety Expert) credentials; expanding professional accountability framework for MRI safety screening as implant population grows](https://ibmrs.org/), International Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety (IBMRS)
17. [AuntMinnie 2025-2026 — MRI safety screening remains entirely human-dependent; implant documentation complexity increasing as MRI-conditional device portfolio expands; job postings increasingly require formal MRI safety training](https://www.auntminnie.com/), AuntMinnie.com
18. [GE HealthCare AIR Recon DL (MRI) — FDA 510(k)-cleared deep learning MRI reconstruction; 30-50% scan time reduction; deployed at 2,000+ MRI sites globally; ISMRM 2024 and RSNA 2024](https://www.gehealthcare.com/en-us/products/magnetic-resonance-imaging/signa-mr-vision/effortless-imaging-ai-mri-solutions/air-recon-dl), GE HealthCare
19. [Siemens Healthineers Deep Resolve — deep learning MRI reconstruction suite (Boost/Sharp/Gain); 2-4x scan time reduction; FDA-cleared; embedded in MAGNETOM systems; RSNA 2024 and ECR 2025](https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/magnetic-resonance-imaging/technologies-and-innovations/deep-resolve), Siemens Healthineers
20. [Philips SmartSpeed — AI-powered MRI acceleration technology; deep learning-based reconstruction; FDA-cleared; embedded in Philips MRI systems; SmartSpeed Precise cleared at ECR 2025](https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/technology/smartspeed-ai), Philips HealthCare
21. [BLS National Employment Matrix 2024-2034 — SOC 29-2035 projected 7.1% growth (44,100 to 47,200; faster than average)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2035&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Forecasts and exposure studies

22. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-2035 Magnetic resonance imaging technologists (2025: 43.9 thousand; 2035: 47.3 thousand; +7.7%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2035&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
23. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-2035.00, human-rated β 0.222)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

24. [Raymond Damadian -- Wikipedia (first whole-body human MRI, July 3, 1977; Indomitable machine; Minkoff/Goldsmith co-operators)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Damadian), Wikipedia
25. [History of MRIs (Ezra) -- FDA approval for clinical MRI use; opening of commercial market; major manufacturers begin US clinical sales](https://www.ezra.com/blog/history-of-mri-scans), Ezra Health
26. [ARMRIT About -- founded 1991 as first MRI-specific credentialing body; required MRI-specific education, in-depth clinical training, and hands-on experience; addressed gap left by workforce trained on the job since 1983](https://www.armrit.org/about.php), American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
27. [History of MRI (McCollege) -- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2003 awarded to Paul Lauterbur and Peter Mansfield for MRI development](https://mccollege.edu/aas-in-magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri-technology/about-the-mri-technology-career/the-history-of-the-mri-development-of-medical-resonance-imaging/), McCollege Health Sciences
28. [ARRT -- MR designated as independent primary credential in 2006; survey respondents said MRI technologists should not need to complete the RT program because MRI is not based on ionizing radiation](https://www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/credential-options/mri), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
29. [GE HealthCare AIR Recon DL (MRI) -- FDA 510(k)-cleared deep learning MRI reconstruction; 30-50% scan time reduction; deployed at 2,000+ MRI sites globally as of 2025; ISMRM 2024 and RSNA 2024](https://www.gehealthcare.com/en-us/products/magnetic-resonance-imaging/signa-mr-vision/effortless-imaging-ai-mri-solutions/air-recon-dl), GE HealthCare

### Predecessors & successors

30. [ARMRIT About -- organization founded 1991 to certify technologists trained on the job since MRI became available in 1983; initial workforce was cross-trained radiologic technologists](https://www.armrit.org/about.php), American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
31. [ARRT -- MR credential history: postprimary route for RT-credentialed technologists (mid-1990s); redesignated primary in 2006](https://www.arrt.org/pages/resources/earn-additional-credentials/earn-additional-credentials-postprimary/magnetic-resonance-imaging), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
32. [ARRT -- MR designated as independent primary credential in 2006; graduates of accredited MRI programs can now enter directly without prior RT credential](https://www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/credential-options/mri), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
33. [BLS OOH -- Radiation Therapists: median wage $99,700 (2024); +4% growth 2024-2034; established credentialing pathway from MRI tech baseline via ARRT (T) credential](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
34. [BLS OOH -- Medical and Health Services Managers: median wage $116,750 (2024); +29% growth 2024-2034; primary senior career path for experienced MRI technologists with lead tech or department management experience](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (29-2035.00): tasks, work activities, technology skills, employment data](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2035.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OOH — Radiologic and MRI Technologists: 245,100 employed 2024; +6% projected growth 2024-2034; 19,200 annual openings; MRI tech median wage ~$80,000-$85,000 above broader rad tech median of $67,180](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ARRT — MR (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) credential; ABMRS MRSO/MRSE safety certifications; physical presence for safety screening, patient setup, and contrast administration is legally mandated; no regulatory pathway for autonomous AI-only MRI acquisition](https://www.arrt.org/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ASRT 2025 Workforce Survey — MRI techs command above-average compensation premium; AI-accelerated reconstruction (GE AIR Recon DL, Siemens Deep Resolve, Philips SmartSpeed) is most commonly encountered AI tool; MRI safety screening responsibility growing as implant population expands](https://www.asrt.org/main/news-publications/research), accessed 2026-05-24
- [GE HealthCare AIR Recon DL (MRI) — FDA 510(k)-cleared deep learning MRI reconstruction; 30-50% scan time reduction at equivalent or superior image quality; deployed at 2,000+ MRI sites globally; ISMRM 2024 and RSNA 2024](https://www.gehealthcare.com/en-us/products/magnetic-resonance-imaging/signa-mr-vision/effortless-imaging-ai-mri-solutions/air-recon-dl), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Siemens Healthineers Deep Resolve — deep learning MRI reconstruction suite (Boost, Sharp, Gain) embedded in MAGNETOM systems; 2-4x scan time reduction; FDA-cleared; RSNA 2024 and ECR 2025](https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/magnetic-resonance-imaging/technologies-and-innovations/deep-resolve), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Philips SmartSpeed — AI-powered MRI acceleration embedded in Philips Ingenia MRI systems; 2-4x scan time reduction via deep learning k-space filling; FDA-cleared; ISMRM 2025 and ECR 2025](https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/technology/smartspeed-ai), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Subtle Medical SubtleMR — FDA 510(k)-cleared deep learning MRI scan time reduction 50-80%; vendor-neutral; validated in Radiology AI 2025 and RSNA AI 2024](https://subtlemedical.com/subtlemr/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Siemens Healthineers BioMatrix Personalization Platform — AI-assisted patient personalization and body positioning for MAGNETOM MRI; BioMatrix Body Positioning AI (camera-based landmark detection); BioMatrix Sensor (motion-adaptive acquisition); RSNA 2024 and ECR 2025](https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/magnetic-resonance-imaging/technologies-and-innovations/biomatrix-technology), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Circle CVI42 — FDA-cleared AI cardiac MRI analysis; automated LV/RV volumetrics, ejection fraction, myocardial mass, T1/T2 mapping, LGE quantification; widely adopted at academic cardiac MRI programs; Circle Cardiovascular Imaging product pages 2025; ISMRM 2024](https://www.circlecvi.com/cvi42), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ISMRM 2024-2025 — key AI themes: AI-accelerated MRI reconstruction dominant near-term deployment; AI auto-planning reducing tech setup time; AI motion correction for cardiac/abdominal MRI; AI coil selection and parameter optimization](https://www.ismrm.org/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [AuntMinnie 2025-2026 — AI-accelerated MRI is the biggest workflow-changing technology for MRI techs in 2025; scan time reduction 30-50%; MRI safety screening remains human-dependent as implant population grows; job postings increasingly cite "AI protocol experience" and "cardiac MRI certification"](https://www.auntminnie.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Radiology AI journal (RSNA) 2025 — AI-accelerated MRI reduces scan time 30-50% with non-inferior diagnostic quality across neuro, MSK, and body protocols; AI auto-planning reduces tech setup time 25-35%; deep learning motion correction reduces cardiac MRI failure rate](https://pubs.rsna.org/journal/ai), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.