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

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Massachusetts employs 1,490 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $110,600 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

Massachusetts median pay: $110,600 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,360
Experienced (75th percentile): $132,870
Top earners (90th percentile): $146,880
Employed in Massachusetts: 1,490
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Boston: $123,910 (1,160 employed)
Providence: $107,650 (200 employed)
Springfield: $105,910 (60 employed)
Worcester: $104,940 (180 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $110,600 median is worth closer to $104,537 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow mri technologists employment +2.7%, slower than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

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

Massachusetts does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology program, then gain clinical MRI experience and earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) post-primary credential.
Pass the ARRT MR exam. Maintain annual MRI safety training (MR Safe/Conditional designations). Boston's major hospitals require ARRT credentials and documented MRI safety competency.
Apply to Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Tufts Medical Center, or the growing network of outpatient MRI centers across Massachusetts.

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

Training in Massachusetts

Boston is a world center for MRI research and clinical innovation — Mass General Hospital's Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging is one of the leading MRI research institutions globally. Clinical MRI techs at academic Boston hospitals work alongside researchers on advanced protocols and sequences not seen elsewhere. Massachusetts MRI wages are among the highest in the country.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

Anna Maria College — Bachelor's
Berkshire Community College — Associate
Boston University — Bachelor's
Bridgewater State University — Bachelor's

Where Mri technologists Work in Massachusetts

Real Massachusetts hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

VA Hosp — Northampton
VA Hosp — Bedford
VA Hosp — Brockton
VA Hosp — Boston
Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston
Tewksbury Hospital — Tewksbury

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 Massachusetts?

The median wage for mri technologists in Massachusetts is $110,600 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,360, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $146,880. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — ARRT R.T.(MR) is the national credential employers require, overseen by the No Massachusetts state license required for MRI technologists. Massachusetts does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology program, then gain clinical MRI experience and earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) post-primary credential.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Massachusetts?

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

Which Massachusetts metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston leads at $123,910, followed by Providence ($107,650), Springfield ($105,910). 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 Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Anna Maria College, Berkshire Community College, Boston 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 Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects mri technologists employment to change +2.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.