Back to the national MRI Technologist profile

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

Allied healthcare

Mississippi employs 250 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $71,710 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $71,710 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $54,080
Experienced (75th percentile): $79,710
Top earners (90th percentile): $82,730
Employed in Mississippi: 250
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Memphis: $80,790 (270 employed)
Jackson: $76,310 (90 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $71,710 median stretches to roughly $82,425 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow mri technologists employment +9.7%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

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

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

Training in Mississippi

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 Mississippi include:

Alcorn State University — Bachelor's
Coahoma Community College — Certificate / Associate
Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Associate
East Central Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in Mississippi

Real Mississippi hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare of MS — Flowood
VA Medical Center Gulfport — Gulfport
University of Mississippi Med Center — Jackson
North Mississippi Medical Center — Tupelo
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center — Jackson
Fmol Health I St Dominic — Jackson

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 Mississippi?

The median wage for mri technologists in Mississippi is $71,710 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $54,080, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $82,730. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Mississippi?

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

Which Mississippi metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Memphis leads at $80,790, followed by Jackson ($76,310). 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 Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Alcorn State University, Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln 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 Mississippi?

Mississippi projects mri technologists employment to change +9.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Mississippi 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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.