MRI Technologist in South Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
South Dakota employs 210 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $77,010 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Mri technologists Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)
- South Dakota median pay
- $77,010 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $51,160
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $83,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $97,660
- Employed in South Dakota
- 210
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $83,200 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for mri technologists in major South Dakota markets:
- Rapid City
- $81,840 (50 employed)
- Sioux Falls
- $75,510 (120 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Dakota
Prices in South Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,010 median stretches to roughly $86,919 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)
South Dakota is projected to grow mri technologists employment +14.8%, 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.
South Dakota License and Certification Requirements
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential — regulated by the No South Dakota state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard.
- South 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 South Dakota state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard →
Training in South 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 South Dakota include:
- Augustana University — Bachelor's
- Dakota State University — Associate / Bachelor's
- Dakota Wesleyan University — Bachelor's
- Lake Area Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Where Mri technologists Work in South Dakota
Real South Dakota hospitals that employ mri technologists include:
- Sanford Usd Medical Center — Sioux Falls
- Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center — Sioux Falls
- V a Black Hills Health Care — Fort Meade
- Monument Health Rapid City Hospital — Rapid City
- Sioux Falls V a Medical Center — Sioux Falls
- Avera Sacred Heart Hospital — Yankton
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 South Dakota?
The median wage for mri technologists in South Dakota is $77,010 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,160, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $97,660. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a MRI Technologist in South Dakota?
No state license; ARRT (MRI) or ARMRIT credential, overseen by the No South Dakota state license — ARRT(MRI)/ARMRIT is the standard. South Dakota does not require a separate state license.
Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in South Dakota?
MRI scanning requires licensed, patient-present technical work with real-time safety decisions around magnetic fields and contraindications.
Which South Dakota metros pay mri technologists the most?
Among South Dakota metro areas, Rapid City leads at $81,840, followed by Sioux Falls ($75,510). 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 South Dakota?
Real South Dakota options include Augustana University, Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan 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 South Dakota?
South Dakota projects mri technologists employment to change +14.8% 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), South Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No South 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 South Dakota wages · South 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.