MRI Technologist in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Colorado employs 670 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $105,380 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.
What Mri technologists Earn in Colorado (May 2025)
- Colorado median pay
- $105,380 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $84,460
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $113,390
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $122,980
- Employed in Colorado
- 670
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $83,200 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major Colorado markets:
- Boulder
- $111,020 (60 employed)
- Denver
- $105,920 (330 employed)
- Fort Collins
- $103,080
- Colorado Springs
- $101,350 (80 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Colorado
Prices in Colorado run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $105,380 median is worth closer to $102,211 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)
Colorado is projected to grow mri technologists employment +23.8%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Colorado License and Certification Requirements
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential — regulated by the No Colorado state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard.
- Colorado 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 — the hiring standard.
Official requirements: No Colorado state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →
Training in Colorado
Many MRI techs start as rad techs and add the MRI credential. Strong pay and steady hospital/imaging-center demand.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:
- Aims Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Arapahoe Community College — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
- Colorado Mesa University — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
- Colorado Mountain College — Certificate / Associate
Where Mri technologists Work in Colorado
Real Colorado hospitals that employ mri technologists include:
- University of Colorado Hospital Authority — Aurora
- Hca Healthone Presbyterian St Luke's — Denver
- V a Hospital — Fort Lyon
- University Colo Health Memorial Hospital Central — Colorado Springs
- Denver Health Medical Center — Denver
- Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo — Pueblo
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 Colorado?
The median wage for mri technologists in Colorado is $105,380 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $84,460, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $122,980. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in Colorado?
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential, overseen by the No Colorado state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard. Colorado does not require a separate state license.
Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Colorado?
MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.
Which Colorado metros pay mri technologists the most?
Among Colorado metro areas, Boulder leads at $111,020, followed by Denver ($105,920), Fort Collins ($103,080). 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 Colorado?
Real Colorado options include Aims Community College, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Mesa University. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is MRI Technologist a growing career in Colorado?
Colorado projects mri technologists employment to change +23.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 60 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), Colorado statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Colorado 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 Colorado wages · Colorado 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.