Skip to main content
AskVantage
US job code 29-2035People-facingMedium change by 2035

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 44%. The job changes before it disappears.

See It For Your CountryWatch This Job

Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205023%Half: 2037

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 4% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 44% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 43,390 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $95,480 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 79% for contact with people.
  • Also called: MRI Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coordinator), MRI QA Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quality Assurance Coordinator), MRI Radiographer (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiographer), MRI Specialist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist).

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
23%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
44%half the tasks by 2037
US median pay
$95,480a year, May 2025
US jobs
43k43,390 people
Contact with people
79%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners29%
3% to 25%
Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging9%
3% to 25%
Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos8%
50% to 72%
Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera8%
63% to 81%
Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images7%
3% to 25%
Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams4%
48% to 72%
Intravenously inject contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice4%
3% to 25%
Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals4%
76% to 82%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills magnetic resonance imaging technologists use most, most used first.

Professionalism and work ethicCollaborationPhysical and manualEmotional intelligenceInterpersonal skillsMoral intelligence and integrityIT and softwareTeaching and trainingAdaptability and resilienceCommunicationSelf-managementOperations and processClinical careCritical thinking and problem solvingInterdisciplinary thinking

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.

  • Watch This Job

    Get told when the outlook for this job changes.

    Free plan

  • Skills to learn next

    The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.

    In the Starburst

  • Check your readiness

    Ten quick questions on how ready you are.

    Free

  • Ask Vantage

    Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.

    Free to ask

  • Futures Academy courses

    Courses matched to your gaps.

    Coming soon

  • Pay trend

    Where pay for this job is heading.

    Coming soon

  • Team plan

    Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.

    Pro and Corporate

  • Shared workspace

    Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.

    Pro and Corporate
Open In The StarburstCheck My Readiness

Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of magnetic resonance imaging technologists?

Machines can do 23% of the tasks of magnetic resonance imaging technologists today and 44% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-2035.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/magnetic-resonance-imaging-technologists/