MRI Technologists: Duties, Salary, and How to Become One

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists use MRI scanners to create internal images of the human body. Doctors then use these scans to diagnose a range of critical conditions, such as brain tumours and dementia, and help develop treatment plans to improve a patient’s health. 

In this article, you’ll learn more about MRI technologists, what they do, how much they make, and what you need to do to become one. You’ll also find suggested courses that can help you gain job-relevant knowledge. 

Read more: 7 Public Health Careers (+ How to Get Started)

What is an MRI Technologist?

An MRI technologist uses MRI technology to take pictures of the inside of the human body for diagnostic purposes. They work in health care facilities, such as hospitals and clinics, where they provide patient care and conduct MRI scans using a combination of radio waves and powerful magnetic fields. 

Duties and impact 

MRI technologists are critical in diagnosing internal conditions, such as brain tumours, infections, and anomalous brain activity, like that resulting from strokes, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Some of the most common duties MRI techs perform include: 

• Maintaining imaging equipment 

• Preparing patients for MRI scans 

• Working with physicians to identify where patients should be scanned

• Operating imaging equipment during scans 

• Maintaining relevant patient records 

Salary and job outlook 

Their skill set, combined with a growing need for health care professionals, means that MRI technologists are in demand and earn higher-than-average salaries. 

MRI technologist salary 

According to Glassdoor, MRI technologists in Canada make an average annual salary of $79,259 as of August 2024 [1]. Keep in mind that compensation can be impacted by location, years of experience, education level, and specialty.

MRI technologist job outlook 

The outlook for MRI technologists is positive in Canada. The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts a good or very good outlook for this type of career through 2026 in most provinces [2]. 

A key driver for this need is an aging global population that is susceptible to conditions like Alzheimer’s, which require imaging technology to diagnose and monitor. 

How to become an MRI technologist 

To become an MRI technologist you'll need to complete a college, hospital, or other approved program in diagnostic radiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Alternatively, you can complete a bachelor's degree in health sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy, along with supervised training.  

You'll also need to become licensed by a regulatory body in the province where you want to work, and membership with a provincial association is required in some provinces and territories. In every province except for Quebec and British Columbia, you must also become certified by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. 

Get started today

You can start an MRI tech career with the right training and experience. 

Start preparing for your future as a health care professional by taking a flexible, online course like the University of Michigan’s Anatomy Specialization, which teaches the foundations of human anatomy, including the major organ systems, their functions, and their relationships within the body. 

The University of Pennsylvania’s Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us, meanwhile, introduces course takers to the ways that the vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain – communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body.