Back to the national MRI Technologist profile

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

Allied healthcare

Texas employs 2,930 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $96,780 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $96,780 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $76,920
Experienced (75th percentile): $105,980
Top earners (90th percentile): $114,160
Employed in Texas: 2,930
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Dallas–Fort Worth: $102,490 (950 employed)
San Antonio: $94,350 (190 employed)
El Paso: $78,410 (70 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $96,780 median stretches to roughly $99,670 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow mri technologists employment +19.5%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 180 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no TX state license) — regulated by the No Texas state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds only).

Texas does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. The primary path is earning an ARRT MRI credential: first complete an accredited radiography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy program and earn your primary ARRT credential (R.T.), then complete a minimum 12-month MRI clinical experience and pass the ARRT MRI post-primary exam.
Alternatively, the ARMRIT (American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists) offers a direct-entry MRI pathway for those without a prior ARRT credential: graduate from an ARMRIT-approved MRI program, document clinical hours, and pass the ARMRIT exam.
Apply to hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers, or stand-alone MRI facilities across Texas. The Texas Medical Center and large health systems (HCA, Baylor, Methodist) hire continuously.

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

Training in Texas

MRI-specific certificate programs are offered at some Texas community colleges and hospital systems. The ARMRIT direct-entry pathway is especially useful if you want MRI without first becoming an X-ray tech. Night and weekend shifts often come with premium pay — useful while you build clinical hours.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Alvin Community College — Certificate / Associate
Amarillo College — Certificate / Associate
Angelina College — Certificate / Associate
Austin Community College District — Certificate / Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in Texas

Real Texas hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Methodist Hospital — San Antonio
VA Hosp — Waco
Memorial Hermann Hospital System — Houston
Houston Methodist Hospital — Houston
Baptist Medical Center — San Antonio
VA Hosp — Houston

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 Texas?

The median wage for mri technologists in Texas is $96,780 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $76,920, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $114,160. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT (national certification — no TX state license), overseen by the No Texas state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds only). Texas does not require a separate state license for MRI technologists. The primary path is earning an ARRT MRI credential: first complete an accredited radiography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy program and earn your primary ARRT credential (R.T.), then complete a minimum 12-month MRI clinical experience and pass the ARRT MRI post-primary exam.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Texas?

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

Which Texas metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Dallas–Fort Worth leads at $102,490, followed by San Antonio ($94,350), El Paso ($78,410). 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 Texas?

Real Texas options include Alvin Community College, Amarillo College, Angelina 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 Texas?

Texas projects mri technologists employment to change +19.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 180 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Texas state MRI-specific license (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT — national creds only) (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 Texas wages · Texas 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.