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

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New Jersey employs 1,250 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $103,930 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)

New Jersey median pay: $103,930 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $80,850
Experienced (75th percentile): $115,750
Top earners (90th percentile): $130,800
Employed in New Jersey: 1,250
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

New York–Newark: $118,360 (3,020 employed)
Allentown–Bethlehem: $99,730 (250 employed)
Philadelphia: $98,620 (1,160 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $103,930 median is worth closer to $95,524 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to grow mri technologists employment +12.3%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 90 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

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

New Jersey does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. (NJ does license radiologic technologists under the NJ Radiologic Technology Act, but verify with the NJ Radiologic Technology Board whether MRI is covered.) Take the ARRT MRI post-primary path: earn a primary ARRT R.T. credential, complete 12 months of MRI clinical experience, then pass the ARRT MRI exam.
The ARMRIT direct-entry MRI program is an alternative. Both credentials are accepted by NJ employers.
RWJBarnabas, Hackensack Meridian, Atlantic Health, and the major academic centers (Rutgers Cancer Institute, Cooper University Hospital) are major MRI employers in NJ.

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

Training in New Jersey

NJ's proximity to NYC means MRI techs can work across the NY-NJ border with comparable pay. Travel MRI assignments throughout the NYC metro — covering NJ, NY, and CT — are among the highest-paying in the country. The NJ Radiologic Technology Act may cover MRI — verify current scope with the NJ Board before beginning a program.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:

American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education — Certificate
American Institute-Cherry Hill — Certificate
American Institute-Clifton — Certificate
American Institute-Somerset — Certificate

Where Mri technologists Work in New Jersey

Real New Jersey hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

VA Hosp — Lyons
VA Hosp — East Orange
Hackensack University Medical Center — Hackensack
Morristown Medical Center — Morristown
Ancora Psych Hosp — Hammonton
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center — Newark

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 New Jersey?

The median wage for mri technologists in New Jersey is $103,930 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $80,850, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $130,800. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no NJ state license), overseen by the No New Jersey state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds). New Jersey does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. (NJ does license radiologic technologists under the NJ Radiologic Technology Act, but verify with the NJ Radiologic Technology Board whether MRI is covered.) Take the ARRT MRI post-primary path: earn a primary ARRT R.T. credential, complete 12 months of MRI clinical experience, then pass the ARRT MRI exam.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in New Jersey?

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

Which New Jersey metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among New Jersey metro areas, New York–Newark leads at $118,360, followed by Allentown–Bethlehem ($99,730), Philadelphia ($98,620). 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 New Jersey?

Real New Jersey options include American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education, American Institute-Cherry Hill, American Institute-Clifton. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is MRI Technologist a growing career in New Jersey?

New Jersey projects mri technologists employment to change +12.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 90 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), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No New Jersey 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 New Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.