MRI Technologist in Kansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Kansas employs 330 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $82,670 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Mri technologists Earn in Kansas (May 2025)
- Kansas median pay
- $82,670 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $65,890
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $95,210
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $102,490
- Employed in Kansas
- 330
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $83,200 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major Kansas markets:
- Kansas City
- $84,040 (390 employed)
- Wichita
- $75,310 (70 employed)
- Joplin
- $70,480 (40 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas
Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,670 median stretches to roughly $91,754 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)
Kansas is projected to grow mri technologists employment +5.0%, slower than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Kansas License and Certification Requirements
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential — regulated by the No Kansas state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard.
- Kansas 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 Kansas state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →
Training in Kansas
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 Kansas include:
- Allen County Community College — Certificate
- Barton County Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Benedictine College — Bachelor's
- Bethany College — Bachelor's
Where Mri technologists Work in Kansas
Real Kansas hospitals that employ mri technologists include:
- Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc. — Wichita
- University of Kansas Hospital — Kansas City
- VA Hosp — Topeka
- Wesley Medical Center — Wichita
- VA Hosp Wadsworth — Leavenworth
- Stormont Vail Hospital — Topeka
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 Kansas?
The median wage for mri technologists in Kansas is $82,670 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,890, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $102,490. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in Kansas?
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential, overseen by the No Kansas state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard. Kansas does not require a separate state license.
Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Kansas?
MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.
Which Kansas metros pay mri technologists the most?
Among Kansas metro areas, Kansas City leads at $84,040, followed by Wichita ($75,310), Joplin ($70,480). 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 Kansas?
Real Kansas options include Allen County Community College, Barton County Community College, Benedictine 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 Kansas?
Kansas projects mri technologists employment to change +5.0% 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), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Kansas 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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.