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

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Missouri employs 1,040 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $83,110 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Missouri (May 2025)

Missouri median pay: $83,110 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $65,400
Experienced (75th percentile): $93,270
Top earners (90th percentile): $99,130
Employed in Missouri: 1,040
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Springfield: $85,060 (100 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri

Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $83,110 median stretches to roughly $91,531 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)

Missouri is projected to grow mri technologists employment +7.9%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Missouri License and Certification Requirements

ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no MO state license) — regulated by the No Missouri state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds).

Missouri does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. Take the ARRT MRI post-primary path: complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program (St. Louis Community College, Missouri State are options), earn your primary ARRT R.T., complete 12 months of MRI clinical experience, then pass the ARRT MRI exam.
The ARMRIT direct-entry program is an alternative path to the MRI credential without the radiography prerequisite.
BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, Mercy, and Saint Luke's Health System are the dominant St. Louis and Kansas City employers. Academic medical centers at Wash. U and SLU provide research and advanced imaging roles.

Official requirements: No Missouri state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds) →

Training in Missouri

Missouri is a cost-effective state to build MRI career experience. St. Louis's medical corridor (Forest Park/Midtown) and Kansas City's Research Medical Center area are the primary employment hubs. Travel MRI positions also offer a way to increase income while based in Missouri.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:

Avila University — Bachelor's
Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center — Certificate / Associate
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — Bachelor's
Concorde Career College-Kansas City — Certificate / Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in Missouri

Real Missouri hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Barnes Jewish Hospital — Saint Louis
Cox Medical Centers — Springfield
Mercy Hospital Springfield — Springfield
Mercy Hospital St Louis — Saint Louis
Mercy Hospital South — Saint Louis
Ssm Health St Mary's Hospital - St Louis — Richmond Heights

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 Missouri?

The median wage for mri technologists in Missouri is $83,110 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,400, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $99,130. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no MO state license), overseen by the No Missouri state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds). Missouri does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. Take the ARRT MRI post-primary path: complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program (St. Louis Community College, Missouri State are options), earn your primary ARRT R.T., complete 12 months of MRI clinical experience, then pass the ARRT MRI exam.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Missouri?

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

Which Missouri metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Missouri metro areas, Springfield leads at $85,060. 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 Missouri?

Real Missouri options include Avila University, Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is MRI Technologist a growing career in Missouri?

Missouri projects mri technologists employment to change +7.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 60 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Missouri state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds) (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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.