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The differences between mri technologists and staff technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an mri technologist and a staff technologist. Additionally, an mri technologist has an average salary of $77,257, which is higher than the $57,587 average annual salary of a staff technologist.
The top three skills for an mri technologist include patients, ARRT and magnetic resonance imaging. The most important skills for a staff technologist are C++, diagnostic radiology, and patient care.
| MRI Technologist | Staff Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,257 | $57,587 |
| Hourly rate | $37.14 | $27.69 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 53,125 | 123,142 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A staff technologist conducts laboratory requests issued by doctors to determine, diagnose, and treat various diseases. The staff technologist is also under the radiologist technician's umbrella and assists the lead technician in managing the laboratory. Included in a staff technologist's tasks are preparing the specimen for analysis and ensuring that all laboratory equipment is well-calibrated and in working order. Added to the responsibilities are protecting patient information and all confidential data the laboratory received.
Mri technologists and staff technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| MRI Technologist | Staff Technologist | |
| Average salary | $77,257 | $57,587 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $138,000 | Between $33,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Siemens Healthineers | VMware |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between an mri technologist and a staff technologist in terms of educational background:
| MRI Technologist | Staff Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between mri technologists' and staff technologists' demographics:
| MRI Technologist | Staff Technologist | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% | Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9% |
| 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, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 8% |