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

Allied healthcare

Louisiana employs 510 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $77,510 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $77,510 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,830
Experienced (75th percentile): $86,480
Top earners (90th percentile): $99,060
Employed in Louisiana: 510
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Baton Rouge: $84,280 (70 employed)
Slidell: $81,220 (40 employed)
New Orleans: $79,030 (130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,510 median stretches to roughly $87,880 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)

Louisiana is projected to grow mri technologists employment +2.1%, slower than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Louisiana License and Certification Requirements

State credential may apply; ARRT (MRI) is the standard — regulated by the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (LSRTBE).

Enter via a radiography program then cross-train into MRI, or a direct MRI program.
Earn ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT certification.
Because Louisiana licenses radiologic technologists, confirm whether your MRI role requires LSRTBE credentialing.

Official requirements: Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (LSRTBE) →

Training in Louisiana

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 Louisiana include:

Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate / Associate
Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing & School of Radiologic Technology — Certificate
Bossier Parish Community College — Certificate / Associate
Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate

Where Mri technologists Work in Louisiana

Real Louisiana hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center — Baton Rouge
Ochsner Medical Center — New Orleans
Willis Knighton Medical Center, Inc — Shreveport
East Jefferson General Hospital — Metairie
VA Hosp — New Orleans
Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center — Lafayette

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 Louisiana?

The median wage for mri technologists in Louisiana is $77,510 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,830, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $99,060. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

State credential may apply; ARRT (MRI) is the standard, overseen by the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (LSRTBE). Enter via a radiography program then cross-train into MRI, or a direct MRI program.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Louisiana?

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

Which Louisiana metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Louisiana metro areas, Baton Rouge leads at $84,280, followed by Slidell ($81,220), New Orleans ($79,030). 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 Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing & School of Radiologic Technology, Bossier Parish Community 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 Louisiana?

Louisiana projects mri technologists employment to change +2.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (LSRTBE) (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.