Back to the national MRI Technologist profile

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

Allied healthcare

Washington employs 960 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $122,750 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Washington licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Washington (May 2025)

Washington median pay: $122,750 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $78,350
Experienced (75th percentile): $133,450
Top earners (90th percentile): $160,320
Employed in Washington: 960
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Seattle–Tacoma: $130,460 (460 employed)
Olympia: $119,310 (40 employed)
Spokane: $108,560 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Washington

Prices in Washington run about 7% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $122,750 median is worth closer to $114,720 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Washington (2024–2034)

Washington is projected to grow mri technologists employment +14.0%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Washington License and Certification Requirements

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

Washington does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology or MRI-specific program, then gain clinical MRI hours.
Earn the ARRT R.T.(MR) (Registered Technologist — Magnetic Resonance Imaging) credential by meeting ARRT education requirements, clinical experience, and passing the MR exam. ARMRIT is also accepted by some employers.
Apply to hospital MRI departments, outpatient imaging centers, and large radiology groups. Most Washington employers require ARRT credentials and ongoing MRI safety certification (MR Safe/Conditional).

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

Training in Washington

Radiologic technology programs at Bellevue College and community colleges provide the foundation; MRI-specific post-primary certificates are available through ARRT for working RTs. Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Spokane have the strongest MRI job markets in the state.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Washington include:

Bates Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Bellevue College — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
Bellingham Technical College — Associate
Carrington College-Spokane — Associate

Where Mri technologists Work in Washington

Real Washington hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

VA Hosp — American Lake
Swedish Medical Center — Seattle
Prov Sacred Hrt Med Ctr & Childs Hosp. — Spokane
Madigan Gen Hosp — Tacoma
VA Puget Sound Health Care System — Seattle
Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital — Tacoma

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 Washington?

The median wage for mri technologists in Washington is $122,750 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $78,350, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $160,320. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — ARRT R.T.(MR) is the national credential employers require, overseen by the No Washington state license required for MRI technologists. Washington does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Complete an accredited radiologic technology or MRI-specific program, then gain clinical MRI hours.

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Washington?

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

Which Washington metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Washington metro areas, Seattle–Tacoma leads at $130,460, followed by Olympia ($119,310), Spokane ($108,560). 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 Washington?

Real Washington options include Bates Technical College, Bellevue College, Bellingham Technical 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 Washington?

Washington projects mri technologists employment to change +14.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 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), Washington statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Washington 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 Washington wages · Washington 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.