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

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Tennessee employs 1,350 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $78,610 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $78,610 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,310
Experienced (75th percentile): $82,770
Top earners (90th percentile): $97,870
Employed in Tennessee: 1,350
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Nashville: $82,470 (350 employed)
Memphis: $80,790 (270 employed)
Knoxville: $77,080 (190 employed)
Chattanooga: $76,840 (170 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,610 median stretches to roughly $85,539 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow mri technologists employment +3.1%, slower than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

None required — ARRT R.T.(MR) is the national credential employers require — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for MRI technologists.

Tennessee does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology program, then gain clinical MRI experience and earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) post-primary credential.
Pass the ARRT MR exam. Maintain current MRI safety training (MR Safe/Conditional). Most Tennessee hospital systems require ARRT credentials and annual MRI safety review.
Apply to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare hospitals, Ascension Saint Thomas, and Tennessee Oncology's growing imaging network.

Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for MRI technologists →

Training in Tennessee

Tennessee Radiologic Technology programs at Volunteer State and Nashville State provide the pathway. Nashville's large healthcare sector, with Vanderbilt as a premier research and clinical center, creates a strong MRI market. Per diem MRI technologist rates in Nashville have grown with the city's healthcare expansion.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Austin Peay State University — Bachelor's
Baptist Health Sciences University — Associate / Bachelor's
Bethel University — Bachelor's
Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in Tennessee

Real Tennessee hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Methodist Hospitals of Memphis — Memphis
Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville
Baptist Memorial Hospital — Memphis
Veterans Affairs Medical Center — Memphis
Erlanger Health System — Chattanooga
Jackson-Madison County General Hospital — Jackson

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 Tennessee?

The median wage for mri technologists in Tennessee is $78,610 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,310, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $97,870. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — ARRT R.T.(MR) is the national credential employers require, overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for MRI technologists. Tennessee does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology program, then gain clinical MRI experience and earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) post-primary credential.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Tennessee?

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

Which Tennessee metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $82,470, followed by Memphis ($80,790), Knoxville ($77,080). 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 Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Austin Peay State University, Baptist Health Sciences University, Bethel 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 Tennessee?

Tennessee projects mri technologists employment to change +3.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for MRI technologists (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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.