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

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Minnesota employs 710 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $100,900 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)

Minnesota median pay: $100,900 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $83,200
Experienced (75th percentile): $106,620
Top earners (90th percentile): $111,600
Employed in Minnesota: 710
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Minneapolis: $104,320 (430 employed)
Rochester: $100,900 (50 employed)
Duluth: $96,980 (40 employed)
Fargo: $78,780 (30 employed)
Sioux Falls: $75,510 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota

Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $100,900 median stretches to roughly $102,333 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)

Minnesota is projected to grow mri technologists employment +13.0%, 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.

Minnesota License and Certification Requirements

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

Minnesota 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 Minnesota state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →

Training in Minnesota

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 Minnesota include:

Anoka Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Bethel University — Bachelor's
Central Lakes College-Brainerd — Certificate
Century College — Certificate / Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in Minnesota

Real Minnesota hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester — Rochester
M Health Fairview University of MN Medical Center — Minneapolis
VA Hosp — Saint Cloud
Abbott Northwestern Hospital — Minneapolis
Hennepin County Medical Center — Minneapolis
United Hospital — Saint Paul

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 Minnesota?

The median wage for mri technologists in Minnesota is $100,900 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $83,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $111,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential, overseen by the No Minnesota state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard. Minnesota does not require a separate state license.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Minnesota?

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

Which Minnesota metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Minnesota metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $104,320, followed by Rochester ($100,900), Duluth ($96,980). 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 Minnesota?

Real Minnesota options include Anoka Technical College, Bethel University, Central Lakes College-Brainerd. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is MRI Technologist a growing career in Minnesota?

Minnesota projects mri technologists employment to change +13.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 50 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), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Minnesota 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 Minnesota wages · Minnesota 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.