Back to the national MRI Technologist profile

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

Allied healthcare

Nebraska employs 290 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $82,710 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Nebraska licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Nebraska (May 2025)

Nebraska median pay: $82,710 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $66,960
Experienced (75th percentile): $92,130
Top earners (90th percentile): $101,070
Employed in Nebraska: 290
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Omaha: $82,710 (170 employed)
Lincoln: $80,420 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Nebraska

Prices in Nebraska run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,710 median stretches to roughly $91,798 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Nebraska (2024–2034)

Nebraska is projected to grow mri technologists employment +12.2%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Nebraska License and Certification Requirements

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

Nebraska does not require a separate MRI license (MRI is non-ionizing).
Enter via a radiography program then cross-train into MRI, or a direct MRI program.
Earn ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT certification.

Official requirements: No Nebraska state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →

Training in Nebraska

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 Nebraska include:

Bryan College of Health Sciences — Bachelor's
CHI Health School of Radiologic Technology — Associate / Bachelor's
Central Community College — Certificate / Associate
Clarkson College — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's

Where Mri technologists Work in Nebraska

Real Nebraska hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

The Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha
Bryan Medical Center — Lincoln
VA Hospital — Omaha
Methodist Hospital — Omaha
Chi Health Creighton University Medical Center - B — Omaha
Chi Health Immanuel — Omaha

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 Nebraska?

The median wage for mri technologists in Nebraska is $82,710 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $66,960, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $101,070. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Nebraska?

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

Which Nebraska metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Nebraska metro areas, Omaha leads at $82,710, followed by Lincoln ($80,420). 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 Nebraska?

Real Nebraska options include Bryan College of Health Sciences, CHI Health School of Radiologic Technology, Central 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 Nebraska?

Nebraska projects mri technologists employment to change +12.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Nebraska statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Nebraska 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 Nebraska wages · Nebraska 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.