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

Allied healthcare

Iowa employs 220 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $81,420 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Iowa licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Iowa (May 2025)

Iowa median pay: $81,420 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $64,290
Experienced (75th percentile): $91,640
Top earners (90th percentile): $98,780
Employed in Iowa: 220
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Des Moines: $85,070 (60 employed)
Omaha: $82,710 (170 employed)
Davenport: $78,350 (30 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Iowa

Prices in Iowa run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $81,420 median stretches to roughly $92,733 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Iowa (2024–2034)

Iowa is projected to grow mri technologists employment +9.1%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Iowa License and Certification Requirements

No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential — regulated by the No Iowa state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard.

Iowa does not require a separate MRI license (MRI is non-ionizing, so it falls outside the radiography permit).
Enter via a radiography program then cross-train into MRI, or a direct MRI program.
Earn ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT certification.

Official requirements: No Iowa state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →

Training in Iowa

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 Iowa include:

Allen College — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
Briar Cliff University — Bachelor's
Buena Vista University — Bachelor's
Central College — Bachelor's

Where Mri technologists Work in Iowa

Real Iowa hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

VA Hosp — Knoxville
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center — Iowa City
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi — Des Moines
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center — Des Moines
St Lukes Hospital — Cedar Rapids
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center — Dubuque

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 Iowa?

The median wage for mri technologists in Iowa is $81,420 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $64,290, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $98,780. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential, overseen by the No Iowa state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard. Iowa does not require a separate MRI license (MRI is non-ionizing, so it falls outside the radiography permit).

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Iowa?

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

Which Iowa metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Iowa metro areas, Des Moines leads at $85,070, followed by Omaha ($82,710), Davenport ($78,350). 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 Iowa?

Real Iowa options include Allen College, Briar Cliff University, Buena Vista 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 Iowa?

Iowa projects mri technologists employment to change +9.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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), Iowa statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Iowa 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 Iowa wages · Iowa 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.