Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.
43,390 people do this job in the US. $95,480 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 62%
- 5%
- 33%
Measured, from Anthropic's usage data (2025). Counts help on part of a task.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 19%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 61%. Today's estimate: 61%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 24 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 21% | 29 min13 min to 1.3 h | 99%Half by now | |
| Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 7% | 10 min4 min to 21 min | 100%Half by now | |
| Calibrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) console or peripheral hardware.Done daily by most who do it. | 6% | 38 min13 min to 1.3 h | Stays with people | |
| Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 6% | 8 min4 min to 17 min | 100%Half by now | |
| Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 5% | 50 min25 min to 1.7 h | Stays with people | |
| Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 5% | 8 min4 min to 17 min | Stays with people | |
| Take brief medical histories from patients.Done hourly or more by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 5% | 7 min3 min to 13 min | 100%Half by now | |
| Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals.Done hourly or more by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 5% | 13 min4 min to 29 min | 100%Half by now | |
| Operate optical systems to capture dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, such as functional brain imaging, real-time organ motion tracking, or musculoskeletal anatomy and trajectory visualization.Done more than weekly by most who do it. | 4% | 38 min17 min to 1.7 h | 98%Half by now | |
| Troubleshoot technical issues related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or peripheral equipment, such as monitors or coils.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 4% | 38 min13 min to 2.5 h | Stays with people | |
| Explain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to patients, patient representatives, or family members.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 4% | 8 min4 min to 17 min | 100%Half by now | |
| Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 4% | 8 min4 min to 17 min | 100%Half by now |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians27% now, 34% by 2028
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians18% now, 18% by 2028
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers33% now, 33% by 2028
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists28% now, 29% by 2028
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists23% now, 24% by 2028
- Radiation Therapists27% now, 29% by 2028
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).