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MRI Technologist in Arizona: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Arizona employs 730 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $100,600 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arizona licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Arizona (May 2025)

Arizona median pay
$100,600 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile)
$81,380
Experienced (75th percentile)
$106,120
Top earners (90th percentile)
$123,040
Employed in Arizona
730
U.S. median (for comparison)
$83,200 (May 2024)
Starting $81,380 Median $100,600 Top 10% $123,040 $60k$80k$100k$120k$140k The bar spans the 10th–90th percentile of current workers.

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major Arizona markets:

Tucson
$106,120 (80 employed)
Phoenix
$97,940 (580 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Arizona

Prices in Arizona run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 100.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $100,600 median is worth closer to $99,901 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Arizona (2024–2034)

Arizona is projected to grow mri technologists employment +23.1%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 62 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arizona License and Certification Requirements

None required — ARRT R.T.(MR) is the national credential employers require — regulated by the No Arizona state license required for MRI technologists.

  1. Arizona does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology program, then gain clinical MRI hours and earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) post-primary credential.
  2. Pass the ARRT MR exam. ARMRIT (American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists) is also accepted by some employers. All MRI techs should maintain current MR safety training (MR Safe/Conditional).
  3. Apply to Banner Health, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, Radiology Ltd. (Tucson), and large outpatient imaging centers across the Phoenix and Tucson metros.

Official requirements: No Arizona state license required for MRI technologists →

Training in Arizona

Arizona's large and growing hospital system, combined with its population growth, drives strong MRI demand. Phoenix has a high density of MRI scanners for its size. Overtime and per diem work are common in Arizona's large imaging market.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arizona include:

Where Mri technologists Work in Arizona

Real Arizona hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People interested in healthcare technology who want strong wages and can handle calm, precise, controlled environments.

Think twice if: Claustrophobic patients, on-call rotations, and strict MRI safety protocols sound stressful rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.

First Steps

Look for ARRT-eligible MRI programs — either a primary MRI track or post-primary certification for existing RT graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do mri technologists make in Arizona?

The median wage for mri technologists in Arizona is $100,600 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $81,380, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $123,040. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in Arizona?

None required — ARRT R.T.(MR) is the national credential employers require, overseen by the No Arizona state license required for MRI technologists. Arizona does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology program, then gain clinical MRI hours and earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) post-primary credential.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Arizona?

MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.

Which Arizona metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Arizona metro areas, Tucson leads at $106,120, followed by Phoenix ($97,940). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a MRI Technologist in Arizona?

Real Arizona options include Arizona Western College, Brookline College-Phoenix, Brookline College-Tempe. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is MRI Technologist a growing career in Arizona?

Arizona projects mri technologists employment to change +23.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 62 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arizona statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Arizona state license required for MRI technologists (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arizona wages · Arizona licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.

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