Career comparison
MRI Technologist vs. Radiologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Radiologists earn more at the median ($420,860 vs. $95,480), while MRI technologists usually get to work faster (2–3 years of training). MRI technologists operate MRI scanners that create detailed images of the body. Radiologists read X-rays, CT and MRI scans to diagnose disease.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| MRI Technologist | Radiologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $95,480 ($45.91/hr) | $420,860 ($202.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $68,890 – $127,670 | $89,010 – $594,410 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.7% (much faster than average) | +3.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,300 | 700 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 2–3 years | 13 years after high school |
| Key credential | ARRT (MR) | ABR board certification |
| Work setting | MRI technologists work in hospitals and outpatient imaging centers.. | Radiologists work in hospital reading rooms, imaging centers and from home through teleradiology.. |
What each job does
MRI Technologist
- Screen patients for MRI safety
- Position patients in the scanner
- Select imaging sequences
- Give contrast when ordered
- Monitor patients during scans
Radiologist
- Interpret medical images
- Diagnose disease and injuries
- Consult with other physicians
- Perform image-guided procedures
- Supervise imaging protocols
How they’re similar
Both careers involve indoor work and high-pay. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose MRI technologist if…
- I like advanced technology
- I’m calm with nervous patients
- I follow safety rules strictly
Choose radiologist if…
- I’m visual and analytical
- I like technology
- I want remote work options
Still torn? Take the MRI Technologist fit quiz and the Radiologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, MRI technologist or radiologist?
Radiologists earn more at the median: $420,860 versus $95,480 for MRI technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
MRI Technologists typically train faster (2–3 years) than radiologists (13 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects MRI technologists to grow +7.7% from 2025–35, compared with +3.4% for radiologists.