AI exposure by occupation, O*NET 29-2035.00
Will AI replace Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists: AI can already handle 20 of 24 tasks; the work mostly needs a standard-tier model.
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Every task, scored
The 24 tasks O*NET 30.3 lists for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, from most to least exposed. 20 reach 60 or more, the level at which AI already handles a task.
| Task | AI exposure | Evidence | Model tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Troubleshoot technical issues related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or peripheral equipment, such as monitors or coils. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Take brief medical histories from patients. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Intravenously inject contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to ensure proper functioning and performance in accordance with specifications. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Explain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to patients, patient representatives, or family members. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Comfort patients during exams, or request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Calibrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) console or peripheral hardware. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Connect physiological leads to physiological acquisition control (PAC) units. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Attach physiological monitoring leads to patient's finger, chest, waist, or other body parts. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| 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. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Schedule appointments for research subjects or clinical patients. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Develop or otherwise produce film records of magnetic resonance images. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Conduct inventories to maintain stock of clinical supplies. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams. | Estimated | No tier |
Observed: scored from AI use recorded in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), 0 of 24 tasks. Estimated: scored from the task's O*NET 30.3 work activity, 24 of 24. Importance is O*NET's 1 to 5 rating of how central the task is. Model tier is the lowest tier that can do the task under the published rubric; "No tier" marks hands-on work.
The model tier this role needs
A standard-tier model or lower covers 91% of the role's importance-weighted task work. 95% of the work is something AI can address at some tier, and 5% is hands-on.
Efficient, standard and frontier tiers come from the JobRoute model tier reference. The recommended tier is the lowest one that covers 80% of the work AI can address. How the method works.
Wages, employment and outlook
- US employment
- 43,390
- Median annual wage
- $95,480
- Middle half of earners
- $81,040 to $106,340
- Projected change, 2024 to 2034
- +7.1%
Employment and wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national. Projection: BLS Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.
Adjacent roles
The occupations that reuse the most of this role's skills, with the usual time to move. These are the first places to look when you plan to redeploy or retrain people in this role.
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians 74% skill overlap, about 9 months to move Exposure36
- Radiologists 68% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure63
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists 67% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure56
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians 64% skill overlap, about 13 months to move Exposure36
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists 63% skill overlap, about 13 months to move Exposure28
Skill overlap and transition time from the JobRoute role adjacency graph on O*NET 30.3 skills.
Questions about Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists and AI
Will AI replace Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists?
AI already handles 20 of the 24 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, at a task exposure of 60 or more, and the role's importance-weighted exposure is 70 out of 100. JobRoute scores tasks, not whole jobs, so the score shows how much of the work changes rather than whether the job disappears. BLS projects employment to change by +7.1% from 2024 to 2034.
What is the AI exposure of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists?
70 out of 100 on JobRoute's task exposure measure, the importance-weighted average of the role's O*NET task scores. Higher means more of the work is AI-doable today. 0 of the 24 task scores are observed in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), and the other 24 are estimated from each task's O*NET work activity.
Which Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists tasks can AI already do?
The tasks with the highest exposure are: Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners; Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head; Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera. They are three of the 20 tasks that reach 60 or more.
What AI model tier does this role need?
A standard-tier model or lower covers 91% of the role's importance-weighted task work. JobRoute assigns each task the lowest tier that can do it under a published rubric and recommends the lowest tier that covers 80% of the work AI can address.
How many people work as Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, and what do they earn?
43,390 people in the United States, with a median annual wage of $95,480 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). BLS Employment Projections expect a change of +7.1% from 2024 to 2034.
How to cite
Data version 2026-11-02, JobRoute method v1.0.0. Download all occupations or this occupation as JSON. Methodology.
JobRoute (2026). AI exposure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists. Data version 2026-11-02, method v1.0.0. Built on O*NET 30.3, BLS OEWS May 2025 and the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026). CC BY 4.0. https://www.jobroute.ai/jobs/magnetic-resonance-imaging-technologists
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