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

Allied healthcare

Maryland employs 770 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $105,230 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maryland licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Maryland (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Maryland

Prices in Maryland run about 5% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $105,230 median is worth closer to $100,219 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Maryland (2024–2034)

Maryland is projected to grow mri technologists employment +10.9%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 50 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maryland License and Certification Requirements

None required — ARRT R.T.(MR) is the national credential employers require — regulated by the No Maryland state license required for MRI technologists.

1. Maryland does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology program, gain clinical MRI experience, and earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) post-primary credential.
2. Pass the ARRT MR exam. Maintain annual MRI safety training. Johns Hopkins and UMMS require ARRT credentials and comprehensive MRI safety competency.
3. Apply to Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, Sinai Hospital (LifeBridge Health), or the large outpatient MRI market serving the DC Maryland suburbs.

Official requirements: No Maryland state license required for MRI technologists →

Training in Maryland

Johns Hopkins's advanced neuroimaging and research MRI programs create exceptional MRI technologist learning environments. The Kennedy Krieger Institute (adjacent to Hopkins) is a premier pediatric neuroimaging employer. Maryland MRI wages are well above the national median — Hopkins and UMMS pay competitive academic medical center rates, and the DC Maryland suburb outpatient market also offers strong wages.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Maryland include:

• All-State Career-Baltimore — Certificate
• Allegany College of Maryland — Associate
• Anne Arundel Community College — Certificate / Associate
• Baltimore City Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in Maryland

Real Maryland hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

• The Johns Hopkins Hospital — Baltimore
• University of Maryland Medical Center — Baltimore
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — Bethesda
• Springfield Hospital Center — Sykesville
• Clinical Center-Natl Inst of Health — Bethesda
• Perry Point VA Medical Center — Perry Point

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

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Maryland statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Maryland state license required for MRI technologists (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 Maryland wages · Maryland 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.