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

Allied healthcare

Wisconsin employs 530 mri technologists, with a statewide median of $94,720 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.

What Mri technologists Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)

Wisconsin median pay: $94,720 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $76,140
Experienced (75th percentile): $100,750
Top earners (90th percentile): $105,410
Employed in Wisconsin: 530
U.S. median (for comparison): $83,200 (May 2024)

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

Minneapolis: $104,320 (430 employed)
Milwaukee: $97,070 (190 employed)
Duluth: $96,980 (40 employed)
Madison: $94,620 (40 employed)
Green Bay: $85,390 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin

Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $94,720 median stretches to roughly $100,659 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)

Wisconsin is projected to grow mri technologists employment +8.0%, faster than the +7.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements

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

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

Training in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin include:

Bellin College — Certificate / Bachelor's
Blackhawk Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Carroll University — Bachelor's
Carthage College — Bachelor's

Where Mri technologists Work in Wisconsin

Real Wisconsin hospitals that employ mri technologists include:

Aurora St Lukes Medical Center — Milwaukee
Tomah VA Medical Center — Tomah
Clement J Zablocki Veterans Affairs — Milwaukee
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital — Milwaukee
Ascension All Saints Hospital — Racine
Ascension Se Wisconsin Hospital - St Joseph Campus — Milwaukee

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 Wisconsin?

The median wage for mri technologists in Wisconsin is $94,720 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $76,140, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $105,410. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a MRI Technologist a good career in Wisconsin?

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

Which Wisconsin metros pay mri technologists the most?

Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $104,320, followed by Milwaukee ($97,070), Duluth ($96,980). 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 Wisconsin?

Real Wisconsin options include Bellin College, Blackhawk Technical College, Carroll 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 Wisconsin?

Wisconsin projects mri technologists employment to change +8.0% 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), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2035. Licensing summary compiled from the No Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.