MRI Tech job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

16

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

medium preparation

Typical entry education

Associate's degree

BLS 2025–35

Median pay

$95,480

BLS May 2025

Data Government data groups this job as Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (O*NET-SOC 29-2035.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams. importance 5.0 of 5
2. Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos. importance 5.0 of 5
3. Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images. importance 4.9 of 5
4. Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. importance 4.9 of 5
5. Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise. importance 4.8 of 5
6. Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging. importance 4.8 of 5
7. Take brief medical histories from patients. importance 4.7 of 5
8. Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera. importance 4.6 of 5
9. Intravenously inject contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice. importance 4.6 of 5
10. Test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to ensure proper functioning and performance in accordance with specifications. importance 4.5 of 5
11. Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation. importance 4.5 of 5
12. Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation. importance 4.4 of 5
13. Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals. importance 4.4 of 5
14. Comfort patients during exams, or request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia. importance 4.4 of 5
15. Explain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to patients, patient representatives, or family members. importance 4.4 of 5
16. Calibrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) console or peripheral hardware. importance 4.3 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Working with Computers, Documenting/Recording Information, Assisting and Caring for Others, Performing for or Working Directly with the Public and Making Decisions and Solving Problems.

Also part of the job

Supplemental tasks O*NET lists for this occupation: less central than the core duties above, and not done in every job.

• Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head.
• Develop or otherwise produce film records of magnetic resonance images.
• Schedule appointments for research subjects or clinical patients.

Knowledge areas: Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Physics, Computers and Electronics and Medicine and Dentistry.

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: MEDITECH software, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, Electronic medical record EMR software. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Education: BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education.
• Experience: BLS lists less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation as typical.
• Training on the job: BLS lists no typical on-the-job training once hired.
• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 3 of 5 (medium preparation). Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board and see how to become an MRI tech.

Most O*NET's occupation experts for this occupation (65%) name an associate's degree as the education the job requires.

Job title: MRI Tech
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring an MRI Tech to operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

What you will do
- Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
- Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
- Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.
- Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.
- Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
- Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging.
- Take brief medical histories from patients.
- Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera.

What we are looking for
- [Education: BLS lists an associate's degree as typical for this occupation; set the level this role truly needs]
- [Experience: BLS lists less than 5 years in a related occupation as typical; adjust to this role]
- Strength in reading comprehension, active listening and monitoring
- Working knowledge of Customer and Personal Service and English Language
- [Software your team uses, e.g. MEDITECH software or eClinicalWorks EHR software]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

The median annual wage was $95,480 in May 2025. The median hourly wage was $45.91. BLS estimates about 43,390 jobs in this occupation in the U.S.

BLS projects employment of MRI techs to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,300 openings a year over that period, including openings to replace workers who leave.

See the full MRI tech salary breakdown by percentile, state and metro.

• Read a real MRI tech posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only MRI tech work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (reading comprehension and active listening); MRI tech interview questions turns them into practice questions.