MRI Technologists vs Radiologists
Median pay is about $325k higher for Radiologists. The usual entry education is associate's for MRI Technologists and doctoral (MD) plus residency for Radiologists.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | MRI Technologists | Radiologists |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $95,480 | $420,860, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $81,040 | $216,800, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $106,340 | $506,010, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +7.7% Growing fast, higher | +3.4% Growing |
| Openings a year | 2,300 | 700 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Associate's | Doctoral (MD) plus residency |
| Difficulty modeled | 2.8 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | High | Low |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 51st pct | 87th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: reading comprehension, active listening, monitoring, speaking, critical thinking, writing.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.