Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Radiation Therapists: $95K vs $105K Median Pay

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Radiation Therapists: what changes?

Consider Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists if you want to operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Consider Radiation Therapists if you would rather provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Both list associate's degree; compare training and prior experience separately. Prior experience in a related occupation is typically needed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (less than 5 years).

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists and Radiation Therapists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

National median pay (2025): $95,480
Route into the job: Associate's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years
Prior related experience: Prior related experience: less than 5 years.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,300

Know before you choose

BLS lists less than 5 years of related experience. This is normally reached through feeder roles, not directly from school.

See the full Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists brief

Radiation Therapists

National median pay (2025): $105,310
Route into the job: Associate's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 700

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (17,400 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Radiation Therapists brief

How the national numbers differ

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists has the edge on projected growth

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists is at 7.7% projected growth, compared with 2.8% projected growth for Radiation Therapists.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists has the edge on annual openings

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists is at 2,300 annual openings, compared with 700 annual openings for Radiation Therapists.

Radiation Therapists has the edge on median pay

Radiation Therapists is at $105,310, compared with $95,480 for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.

63.3/ 100

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

49.4/ 100

Radiation Therapists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Radiation Therapists

Dimension	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	Radiation Therapists
Median pay (2025)	$95,480	$105,310
Pay percentile	79.4 percentile	86 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	7.7%	2.8%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	2,300	700
2025 employment	43,900	17,400
How you qualify	Associate's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years	Associate's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 3	Job Zone 3
Related work experience	Prior related experience: less than 5 years.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists brief Read Radiation Therapists brief

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Radiation Therapists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Radiation Therapists

How the national numbers differ

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists has the edge on projected growth

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists has the edge on annual openings

Radiation Therapists has the edge on median pay

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Radiation Therapists

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