MRI Technologist in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Montana employs 150 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $86,950 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Mri technologists Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $86,950 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $72,030
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $99,580
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $101,020
- Employed in Montana
- 150
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $83,200 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major Montana markets:
- Billings
- $84,010 (40 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $86,950 median stretches to roughly $91,913 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)
Montana is projected to grow mri technologists employment +9.1%, 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.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential — regulated by the No Montana state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard.
- Montana 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 Montana state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →
Training in Montana
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 Montana include:
- Flathead Valley Community College — Associate
- Great Falls College Montana State University — Certificate / Associate
- Highlands College of Montana Tech — Associate
- Montana State University Billings — Certificate / Associate
Where Mri technologists Work in Montana
Real Montana hospitals that employ mri technologists include:
- Benefis Hospitals Inc — Great Falls
- Billings Clinic Hospital — Billings
- Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital — Billings
- St Patrick Hospital — Missoula
- VA Hosp — Fort Harrison
- Logan Health Medical Center — Kalispell
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 Montana?
The median wage for mri technologists in Montana is $86,950 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $72,030, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $101,020. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in Montana?
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential, overseen by the No Montana state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard. Montana does not require a separate state license.
Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Montana?
MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.
Which Montana metros pay mri technologists the most?
Among Montana metro areas, Billings leads at $84,010. 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 Montana?
Real Montana options include Flathead Valley Community College, Great Falls College Montana State University, Highlands College of Montana Tech. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is MRI Technologist a growing career in Montana?
Montana projects mri technologists employment to change +9.1% 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), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Montana 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 Montana wages · Montana 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.