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

Allied healthcare

North Dakota employs 70 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $80,610 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

North Dakota median pay: $80,610 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $69,180
Experienced (75th percentile): $89,620
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,800
Employed in North Dakota: 70
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Fargo: $78,780 (30 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,610 median stretches to roughly $90,573 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow mri technologists employment +10.0%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

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

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

Training in North Dakota

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 North Dakota include:

Bismarck State College — Certificate / Associate
Dakota College at Bottineau — Certificate / Associate
Minot State University — Bachelor's
North Dakota State College of Science — Certificate / Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in North Dakota

Real North Dakota hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Sanford — Fargo
Trinity Hospitals — Minot
Chi St Alexius Health — Bismarck
Altru Hospital — Grand Forks
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck — Bismarck
VA Hosp — Fargo

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 North Dakota?

The median wage for mri technologists in North Dakota is $80,610 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $69,180, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,800. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in North Dakota?

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

Which North Dakota metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among North Dakota metro areas, Fargo leads at $78,780. 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 North Dakota?

Real North Dakota options include Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Minot State University. Most mri technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is MRI Technologist a growing career in North Dakota?

North Dakota projects mri technologists employment to change +10.0% from 2024 to 2034 — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No North Dakota 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 North Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.