There are two MRI tech programs available in Michigan: Tesla MR Institute’s 12-18 month hybrid program (no prior radiology credentials needed, starting at $11,000) and the traditional ARRT post-primary pathway for existing radiologic technologists. Michigan does not require a state license — employers accept ARRT or ARMRIT national certification.
If you’re a career changer, Tesla MR Institute is the direct-entry option with 30+ clinical training sites across the state, including Detroit, Southfield, Sterling Heights, and Auburn Hills.
MRI tech programs in Michigan
Tesla MR Institute (hybrid, statewide)
Tesla MR Institute’s program is built for people entering MRI directly — career changers, CNAs, medical assistants, and anyone without a radiology background.
Program details:
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED. No prior radiology credentials required.
- Format: Online didactic coursework + in-person clinical rotations at local Michigan sites
- Clinical sites: 30+ facilities across Michigan (Southfield, Sterling Heights, Detroit, Auburn Hills, and more)
- Certification: Prepares for ARMRIT national certification
- Cost: Starting at $11,000 (payment plans available)
The hybrid format means you can keep working while completing coursework online, then do hands-on clinical rotations at a site near you. Most Michigan students are placed within 30-45 minutes of home.
For city-specific program details, see our guides for Detroit and Southfield.
Traditional pathway (ARRT post-primary)
If you already hold ARRT certification in radiography or another primary modality, you can add MRI as a post-primary specialty through structured clinical experience and the ARRT MRI exam. This route requires a 2+ year radiologic technology degree as a prerequisite.
Contact local radiologic technology programs or your employer for post-primary training opportunities in Michigan.
Tip
Not sure which path fits you? Read our ARRT vs ARMRIT comparison guide for a side-by-side breakdown.
How to become an MRI tech in Michigan
Path 1: Career changers (ARMRIT)
- Confirm eligibility. You need a high school diploma or GED. Healthcare experience is preferred but not required.
- Enroll in an ARMRIT-approved program. Tesla MR Institute’s hybrid program lets you complete didactic coursework online while doing clinical rotations at a Michigan facility.
- Complete clinical hours. Log supervised clinical training at one of 30+ Michigan sites.
- Pass the ARMRIT exam. After completing your program and clinical requirements, sit for the ARMRIT certification exam.
- Apply for jobs. Your ARMRIT certification is your credential. Michigan employers accept it widely.
Path 2: Existing rad techs (ARRT post-primary)
- Confirm ARRT eligibility. You need current ARRT certification in a primary pathway.
- Complete post-primary MRI requirements. Through employer-sponsored clinical experience or structured education.
- Pass the ARRT MRI exam.
- Update your credentials. Your ARRT(MR) certification goes on your resume.
For a broader look at requirements across all states, see our state-by-state guide.
Clinical training sites in Michigan
Tesla MR Institute has 30+ clinical training sites across Michigan, with concentrations in:
- Southfield — multiple imaging centers and hospital sites (Southfield program details)
- Sterling Heights — outpatient and hospital facilities
- Detroit — high-volume metro hospitals and imaging centers (Detroit program details)
- Auburn Hills — suburban imaging facilities
Most students are placed within 30-45 minutes of home. Metro areas have the most available sites and quickest placement timelines.
Employer Tip
If you are a facility manager in Michigan interested in hosting MRI training students, Tesla MR Institute partners with hospitals and imaging centers across the state. See our clinical site partnership page for details.
MRI technologist salary in Michigan
MRI technologists in Michigan earn an average of approximately $75K per year, with salaries ranging from $62K-$88K depending on metro area, experience, and facility type.
The national median for MRI technologists is $88,180 according to May 2024 BLS data.
Entry-level MRI technologists in Michigan typically start at the lower end of this range. With 3-5 years of experience and specialty skills (cardiac MRI, breast MRI, pediatric), salaries move toward the upper range. Travel MRI techs working Michigan assignments can earn premium weekly rates.
Salary by metro area
| Metro Area | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $68K-$90K |
| Ann Arbor | $72K-$92K |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming | $64K-$84K |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $62K-$80K |
For a deeper dive into MRI tech compensation, see our MRI technologist salary guide and salary by state breakdown.
MRI licensing in Michigan
Michigan does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. MRI uses magnetic fields, not ionizing radiation, so it falls outside most state radiologic technology licensing requirements.
Employers require national certification through ARRT or ARMRIT. Both are accepted by Michigan’s major health systems. The MRI staffing shortage has made facilities across the state increasingly flexible about certification type, with outpatient imaging centers and community hospitals leading the way in accepting ARMRIT-certified technologists.
Key Takeaway
No state license needed. Employers require ARRT or ARMRIT national certification — both are widely accepted across Michigan.
Where MRI techs work in Michigan
Michigan’s healthcare market is dominated by a handful of massive health systems, most concentrated in the Detroit metro and western Michigan.
Detroit metro
Corewell Health (formed from the 2022 merger of Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health) is now Michigan’s largest health system, operating 22 hospitals statewide. In the Detroit area, the former Beaumont hospitals in Royal Oak, Troy, Dearborn, and Wayne handle enormous MRI volumes. Corewell’s scale means standardized protocols across facilities and strong internal transfer opportunities. Starting MRI tech salaries at Corewell range from $62K-$80K depending on location and experience.
Henry Ford Health operates six hospitals in metro Detroit, including the flagship Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Henry Ford is known for its innovation in imaging, having been one of the first systems in the region to adopt 3T MRI. The radiology department handles a wide case mix: neuro, MSK, cardiac, and body imaging. Salaries are competitive with the Detroit market ($65K-$85K).
Ascension Michigan operates multiple hospitals across metro Detroit, including Providence Hospital in Southfield and St. John Hospital in Detroit. Ascension facilities accept both ARRT and ARMRIT certification.
Ann Arbor
Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan Health) is a top-10 academic medical center and the premier imaging employer in the state. The MRI department operates advanced 3T and 7T research scanners in addition to clinical systems. Techs at Michigan Medicine work alongside world-class researchers and have access to cutting-edge imaging protocols. Salaries in Ann Arbor run $72K-$92K, among the highest in the state.
Grand Rapids
Corewell Health (Spectrum Health side) dominates the Grand Rapids market, operating Butterworth Hospital and Blodgett Hospital. Trinity Health (Mercy Health) also serves western Michigan. Grand Rapids has a lower cost of living than Detroit or Ann Arbor, making the $64K-$84K salary range go further.
Greater Michigan
McLaren Health Care operates 13 hospitals across Michigan, from Flint to Lansing to the Upper Peninsula. Munson Healthcare serves northern Michigan. Sparrow Health System (now part of University of Michigan Health) covers the Lansing area. These systems provide opportunities for MRI techs who prefer smaller markets or want to avoid the Detroit commute.
Outpatient imaging
National imaging chains and independent radiology groups operate across Michigan’s major metros. Detroit in particular has a dense network of outpatient MRI facilities, and the auto industry’s strong employer-sponsored health insurance benefits drive high imaging utilization rates.
MRI programs by city in Michigan
Looking for MRI training in a specific Michigan city? See our detailed guides:
More resources
- How to become an MRI technologist — step-by-step career guide
- MRI technologist salary guide — pay by state, setting, and experience
- MRI technologist requirements — what employers verify
- ARRT vs ARMRIT certification — choose the right credential path