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The differences between mri technologists and nurse technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an mri technologist, becoming a nurse technician takes usually requires 1-3 months. Additionally, an mri technologist has an average salary of $77,257, which is higher than the $33,005 average annual salary of a nurse technician.
The top three skills for an mri technologist include patients, ARRT and magnetic resonance imaging. The most important skills for a nurse technician are patients, CPR, and vital signs.
| MRI Technologist | Nurse Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $77,257 | $33,005 |
| Hourly rate | $37.14 | $15.87 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 53,125 | 195,553 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 3 |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists are medical professionals who manage everything involved in the MRI machine. They operate the machines to get scans of the patients' brain, spinal cord, or muscles, which would help doctors identify or diagnose clients' illnesses and diseases. They help the patients prepare for the MRI scans and ensure that they are properly protected. They also carefully take direction from attending physicians to ensure that they scan the correct body part needed for the diagnosis. MRI technologists are also in charge of maintaining the MRI machine and working on repairs whenever needed.
Nurse technicians, also known as nursing aides, assistants, or attendants, usually work in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Primarily, they help a registered nurse by providing essential mobility, care, and support to patients. Everyday routine duties include maintaining patients' hygiene and moving them using wheelchairs or stretchers around the facility for their meals, treatment, events, and other activities. They do tasks that help improve a patient's comfort level and become their caregivers in the long run. This job requires a high school diploma along with the completed certified nursing assistant (CNA) program.
Mri technologists and nurse technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| MRI Technologist | Nurse Technician | |
| Average salary | $77,257 | $33,005 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $138,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Siemens Healthineers | Carondelet High School |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an mri technologist and a nurse technician in terms of educational background:
| MRI Technologist | Nurse Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Nursing |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | - |
Here are the differences between mri technologists' and nurse technicians' demographics:
| MRI Technologist | Nurse Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% | Male, 16.9% Female, 83.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 7% |