MRI Technologist in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Georgia employs 1,800 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $92,060 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Mri technologists Earn in Georgia (May 2025)
- Georgia median pay
- $92,060 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $63,970
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $102,610
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $109,200
- Employed in Georgia
- 1,800
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $83,200 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major Georgia markets:
- Savannah
- $88,230 (50 employed)
- Augusta
- $82,200 (90 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia
Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $92,060 median stretches to roughly $95,597 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)
Georgia is projected to grow mri technologists employment +16.6%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Georgia License and Certification Requirements
ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no GA state license) — regulated by the No Georgia state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds).
- Georgia does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Take the ARRT MRI post-primary path: complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program (Emory, Augusta University, or Atlanta-area technical colleges), earn your primary ARRT R.T., complete 12 months of MRI clinical experience, then pass the ARRT MRI exam.
- The ARMRIT direct-entry MRI program is an alternative pathway.
- Emory Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, Piedmont Health, and Northside Hospital are the dominant Atlanta employers. Grady Memorial (Atlanta's public hospital) is also a major imaging employer.
Official requirements: No Georgia state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds) →
Training in Georgia
Georgia's cost of living remains favorable compared to coastal markets, making it a solid state to build MRI career experience with competitive salary growth. Atlanta travel MRI positions are well-paid and numerous through national staffing agencies.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Georgia include:
- Albany State University — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
- Albany Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Andrew College — Associate
- Athens Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Where Mri technologists Work in Georgia
Real Georgia hospitals that employ mri technologists include:
- Augusta VA Medical Center — Augusta
- Grady Memorial Hospital — Atlanta
- Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital — Albany
- Emory University Hospital — Atlanta
- Atrium Health Navicent the Medical Center — Macon
- Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center — Marietta
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 Georgia?
The median wage for mri technologists in Georgia is $92,060 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,970, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $109,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in Georgia?
ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no GA state license), overseen by the No Georgia state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds). Georgia does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Take the ARRT MRI post-primary path: complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program (Emory, Augusta University, or Atlanta-area technical colleges), earn your primary ARRT R.T., complete 12 months of MRI clinical experience, then pass the ARRT MRI exam.
Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Georgia?
MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.
Which Georgia metros pay mri technologists the most?
Among Georgia metro areas, Savannah leads at $88,230, followed by Augusta ($82,200). 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 Georgia?
Real Georgia options include Albany State University, Albany Technical College, Andrew College. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is MRI Technologist a growing career in Georgia?
Georgia projects mri technologists employment to change +16.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 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), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Georgia 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 Georgia wages · Georgia 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.