MRI Technologist in Florida: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Florida employs 2,860 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $84,330 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Florida licensing picture, and where to train.
What Mri technologists Earn in Florida (May 2025)
- Florida median pay
- $84,330 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $65,000
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $98,540
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $102,610
- Employed in Florida
- 2,860
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $83,200 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major Florida markets:
- Fort Myers
- $94,420 (90 employed)
- Orlando
- $83,980 (350 employed)
- Jacksonville
- $83,170 (240 employed)
- Tampa Bay
- $82,690 (540 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Florida
Prices in Florida run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $84,330 median is worth closer to $81,557 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Florida (2026–2034)
Florida is projected to grow mri technologists employment +11.9%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 234 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Florida License and Certification Requirements
ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no FL state license) — regulated by the No Florida state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds).
- Florida does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. The ARRT MRI post-primary path: first earn an ARRT primary credential (R.T. in Radiography is most common via a Florida JRCERT-accredited program), then complete 12 months of clinical MRI experience and pass the ARRT MRI exam.
- Alternatively, use the ARMRIT direct-entry MRI pathway: complete an ARMRIT-approved program, document clinical hours, and pass the ARMRIT exam. Both credentials are accepted by Florida employers.
- Large imaging employers include HCA Florida, AdventHealth, BayCare, and numerous outpatient MRI centers throughout the state.
Official requirements: No Florida state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds) →
Training in Florida
Miami Dade College, Valencia College, and Hillsborough Community College offer JRCERT radiography programs as a launch pad for the ARRT MRI credential. Travel MRI tech positions are common in Florida, offering significantly higher wages than staff positions.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Florida include:
- ATA Career Education — Associate
- Advance Science International College — Associate
- AdventHealth University — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
- American Medical Academy — Certificate / Associate
Where Mri technologists Work in Florida
Real Florida hospitals that employ mri technologists include:
- Adventhealth Orlando — Orlando
- Jackson Memorial Hospital — Miami
- Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center — Orlando
- St Josephs Hospital — Tampa
- Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville — Jacksonville
- Northeast Florida State Hospital — Macclenny
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 Florida?
The median wage for mri technologists in Florida is $84,330 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,000, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $102,610. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in Florida?
ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no FL state license), overseen by the No Florida state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds). Florida does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. The ARRT MRI post-primary path: first earn an ARRT primary credential (R.T. in Radiography is most common via a Florida JRCERT-accredited program), then complete 12 months of clinical MRI experience and pass the ARRT MRI exam.
Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Florida?
MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.
Which Florida metros pay mri technologists the most?
Among Florida metro areas, Fort Myers leads at $94,420, followed by Orlando ($83,980), Jacksonville ($83,170). 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 Florida?
Real Florida options include ATA Career Education, Advance Science International College, AdventHealth 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 Florida?
Florida projects mri technologists employment to change +11.9% from 2026 to 2034, with about 234 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), Florida statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Florida state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds) (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 Florida wages · Florida 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.