MRI Technologist in Arkansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Arkansas employs 380 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $78,780 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Mri technologists Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)
- Arkansas median pay
- $78,780 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $61,910
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $83,060
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $97,570
- Employed in Arkansas
- 380
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $83,200 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major Arkansas markets:
- Fayetteville
- $81,120 (60 employed)
- Memphis
- $80,790 (270 employed)
- Little Rock
- $79,840 (150 employed)
- Jonesboro
- $79,510 (40 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas
Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,780 median stretches to roughly $90,656 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)
Arkansas is projected to grow mri technologists employment +18.2%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Arkansas License and Certification Requirements
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential — regulated by the No Arkansas state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard.
- Arkansas does not require a separate state license.
- Enter via a radiography program then cross-train into MRI, or a direct MRI program.
- Earn ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT certification.
Official requirements: No Arkansas state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →
Training in Arkansas
Many MRI techs start as rad techs and add the MRI credential. Strong pay and steady imaging-center/hospital demand.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arkansas include:
- Arkansas Northeastern College — Certificate / Associate
- Arkansas State University — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
- Arkansas State University Mid-South — Certificate / Associate
- Arkansas State University-Beebe — Certificate / Associate
Where Mri technologists Work in Arkansas
Real Arkansas hospitals that employ mri technologists include:
- VA Hosp — North Little Rock
- Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock — Little Rock
- Chi St Vincent Infirmary — Little Rock
- Unity Health White County Medical Center — Searcy
- Baptist Health - Fort Smith — Fort Smith
- VA Hosp — Little Rock
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 Arkansas?
The median wage for mri technologists in Arkansas is $78,780 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $61,910, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $97,570. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in Arkansas?
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential, overseen by the No Arkansas state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard. Arkansas does not require a separate state license.
Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Arkansas?
MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.
Which Arkansas metros pay mri technologists the most?
Among Arkansas metro areas, Fayetteville leads at $81,120, followed by Memphis ($80,790), Little Rock ($79,840). 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 Arkansas?
Real Arkansas options include Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University, Arkansas State University Mid-South. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is MRI Technologist a growing career in Arkansas?
Arkansas projects mri technologists employment to change +18.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Arkansas state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard (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 Arkansas wages · Arkansas 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.