Four pathways into MRI serve Pennsylvania students:
| Program | Duration | Prerequisites | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State Schuylkill MRI Courses | 12-18 months | ARRT(R) required | Contact for tuition | Existing rad techs wanting post-primary |
| Community College of Philadelphia | 2+ years (rad tech first) | Prerequisites required | $8,000-$15,000 | Traditional pathway, Philadelphia area |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | 4 years (BS) | High school diploma | $40,000+ | Traditional bachelor’s degree pathway |
| Tesla MR Institute | 12-18 months | None (high school diploma/GED) | $6,450 | Career changers, no radiology background |
Pennsylvania MRI techs earn $70,000-$95,000 depending on region. The state has no MRI-specific license requirement and no state licensing board for radiologic technologists. With 60+ clinical training sites, Pennsylvania has clinical placement options concentrated in its two major metro areas and central corridor.
This guide covers program details, licensing, salary data by metro area, and clinical training site locations across Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania MRI technologist licensing: what you need to know
Pennsylvania is one of the states that does not regulate radiologic or MRI technologists through state licensure. There is no state licensing board, no state exam, no state registration, and no state-mandated continuing education requirement for MRI technologists.
The Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologists (PSRT) has been advocating for state licensure legislation, but as of 2026 no such law has been enacted. This means the barrier to entry is lower than in states with licensing requirements, though employers still maintain their own credentialing standards.
What Pennsylvania employers actually require
Without state licensing, national certification is the sole credentialing standard. The two options are ARRT and ARMRIT.
- UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center): Accepts both ARRT and ARMRIT for MRI positions across their network
- Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania Health System): Generally prefers ARRT but evaluates ARMRIT candidates, particularly for outpatient locations
- Jefferson Health: Accepts both certifications
- Tower Health, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Geisinger: Accept both ARRT and ARMRIT
- Outpatient imaging centers: Generally accept either certification
The absence of state licensing means Pennsylvania employers have full discretion over hiring criteria. In practice, the MRI staffing shortage has made most facilities in the state flexible about certification type.
Key Takeaway
Pennsylvania does not require a state license for MRI technologists. No state registration, exam, or permit is needed. Employers require national certification (ARRT or ARMRIT), and both are accepted at most facilities across the state.
MRI tech programs in Pennsylvania
Penn State Schuylkill — MRI Post-Primary Courses
Penn State’s Schuylkill campus offers MRI post-primary certification courses designed for existing radiologic technologists who want to add MRI to their credentials.
Key details:
- Duration: Courses can be completed in 12-18 months alongside clinical requirements
- Prerequisite: Current ARRT certification in a primary pathway
- Format: Structured education courses that fulfill ARRT post-primary requirements
- Outcome: Prepares for the ARRT MRI post-primary exam
- Strength: Penn State name, structured curriculum aligned with ARRT requirements
- Limitation: Post-primary only, not open to career changers
Community College of Philadelphia (CCP)
CCP’s Diagnostic Medical Imaging program is JRCERT-accredited and prepares students for careers in radiography. MRI is a post-primary add-on after completing the radiography program.
Key details:
- Duration: 2+ years for the full radiography program, then additional MRI training
- Prerequisite: College prerequisites (anatomy, physiology, math)
- Location: Philadelphia
- Cost: $8,000-$15,000 (community college rates)
- Strength: Affordable, JRCERT accreditation, Philadelphia clinical partnerships
- Limitation: Long pathway to MRI, requires completing radiography first
Gwynedd Mercy University
GMercyU offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology with affiliate clinical sites across the Philadelphia region. Graduates are eligible for ARRT certification and can pursue MRI as a post-primary specialty.
Key details:
- Duration: 4 years (bachelor’s degree)
- Location: Gwynedd Valley (suburban Philadelphia)
- Cost: $40,000+ (private university)
- Strength: Bachelor’s degree, 100% ARRT exam pass rate (2025), strong clinical affiliations
- Limitation: Long timeline, high cost, MRI requires additional post-primary work
Tesla MR Institute (hybrid, statewide)
Tesla MR Institute’s program is designed for people entering MRI directly, without needing to complete a radiography program first.
Key details:
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Prerequisite: None. No prior radiology credentials required.
- Format: Online didactic coursework combined with in-person clinical rotations at local Pennsylvania sites
- Clinical sites in Pennsylvania: 31 facilities across the state
- Certification: Prepares for ARMRIT certification
- Cost: $6,450 (full program, payment plans available)
- Strength: Accessible to career changers, flexible schedule, significantly lower cost than traditional pathways
- Limitation: Prepares for ARMRIT, not ARRT
Tip
Pennsylvania is Tesla MR Institute’s second-largest student state with 41 current students. The combination of no state licensing barriers, strong healthcare markets in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and affordable program access makes PA one of the best states to start an MRI career through the ARMRIT pathway.
Choosing between ARRT and ARMRIT pathways
For a detailed side-by-side breakdown, read our ARRT vs ARMRIT comparison guide.
Choose the ARRT pathway if:
- You already hold ARRT certification in another modality
- You are targeting academic medical centers like Penn Medicine or UPMC
- You want to combine MRI with other imaging modalities on one credential
Choose the ARMRIT pathway if:
- You do not have prior radiology credentials
- You are a career changer looking for the fastest, most affordable path into MRI
- You are willing to work at employers that accept ARMRIT, which includes the majority of Pennsylvania facilities
MRI technologist salary in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania MRI technologist salaries are near or slightly above the national median. The state benefits from two major metro areas (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) with robust healthcare markets.
Salary by region
| Region | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $80,000-$95,000 | $38-$46 | Largest market, highest pay |
| Pittsburgh | $72,000-$88,000 | $35-$42 | Strong UPMC presence |
| Harrisburg-York-Lancaster | $70,000-$82,000 | $34-$39 | Central PA, moderate COL |
| Lehigh Valley (Allentown-Bethlehem) | $72,000-$85,000 | $35-$41 | Growing market |
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre | $65,000-$78,000 | $31-$38 | Lower COL, fewer positions |
| Erie | $62,000-$75,000 | $30-$36 | Smaller market |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level MRI technologists in Pennsylvania typically start between $60,000 and $72,000. With 3-5 years of experience and specialty skills (cardiac MRI, breast MRI, pediatric), salaries commonly reach $85,000-$100,000. Travel MRI techs working Pennsylvania assignments can earn $2,400-$3,200 per week, reflecting the state’s healthcare density and staffing needs.
For a deeper dive into MRI tech compensation, see our MRI technologist salary guide and salary by state breakdown.
Clinical training sites in Pennsylvania
Tesla MR Institute has 60+ clinical training sites across Pennsylvania, with concentrations in the Philadelphia metro area, Pittsburgh region, and central Pennsylvania corridor.
Partner facilities include hospital systems, outpatient imaging centers, and radiology groups. Major healthcare networks with clinical training availability include UPMC facilities, Jefferson Health locations, Tower Health, and independent imaging centers across the state.
Pennsylvania is Tesla MR Institute’s second-largest student state by enrollment. The density of clinical sites in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros means most students in those areas are placed within 30-45 minutes of their home.
Tip
With 41 active students across the state, Pennsylvania has one of the most established Tesla MR student communities. New students benefit from an existing clinical training infrastructure and proven placement track record.
Employer Tip
If you are a facility manager in Pennsylvania interested in hosting MRI training students, Tesla MR Institute partners with hospitals and imaging centers across the state. Hosting students gives you a direct pipeline to trained, certified MRI technologists. See our clinical site partnership page for details.
Tesla MR Institute has 60+ clinical sites across Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Train locally while completing coursework online.
How to become an MRI tech in Pennsylvania: step by step
Path 1: Career changers and new entrants (ARMRIT)
- Confirm eligibility. You need a high school diploma or GED. Healthcare experience is preferred but not required. MRI tech aides, patient care technicians, nursing assistants, and medical assistants are strong candidates.
- Enroll in an ARMRIT-approved program. Tesla MR Institute’s hybrid program lets you complete didactic coursework online while doing clinical rotations at a Pennsylvania facility.
- Complete clinical hours. You will log supervised clinical training at one of 31 Pennsylvania sites.
- Pass the ARMRIT exam. After completing your program and clinical requirements, you sit for the ARMRIT certification exam.
- Apply for jobs. No Pennsylvania state license application is needed. Your ARMRIT certification is your credential.
Path 2: Existing rad techs (ARRT post-primary)
- Confirm ARRT eligibility. You need current ARRT certification in a primary pathway.
- Enroll in a post-primary MRI program. Penn State Schuylkill’s MRI courses or employer-sponsored clinical experience are common paths.
- Complete structured clinical requirements. ARRT requires documented clinical experience in MRI procedures.
- Pass the ARRT MRI exam. This is the post-primary MRI specialty exam administered by ARRT.
- Update your credentials. Your ARRT(MR) certification goes on your resume alongside your existing credentials.
For a broader look at MRI tech requirements across all states, see our state-by-state guide.
Pennsylvania MRI tech job market
Pennsylvania’s MRI job market is driven by three factors:
1. Two major medical hubs. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each anchor massive healthcare ecosystems. Philadelphia has Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Temple Health, and Einstein Healthcare Network. Pittsburgh has UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, and numerous community hospitals. Each system operates multiple MRI scanners across dozens of locations.
2. No state licensing barrier. The absence of state licensure means employers can hire based solely on national certification, reducing friction for new entrants. This is particularly beneficial for ARMRIT-certified technologists who face additional licensing hurdles in some other states.
3. Academic medical center density. Pennsylvania has more medical schools and teaching hospitals per capita than most states. These institutions need MRI technologists for both clinical care and research imaging, creating demand beyond what standard healthcare delivery generates.
The practical result: Pennsylvania offers a favorable job market for MRI techs, with the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros providing the most opportunities and the highest salaries.
Cost of MRI tech programs in Pennsylvania
| Program | Approximate Cost | Duration | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State Schuylkill MRI Courses | Contact for tuition | 12-18 months | ARRT(R) |
| Community College of Philadelphia | $8,000-$15,000 | 2+ years | College prerequisites |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | $40,000+ | 4 years | High school diploma |
| Tesla MR Institute | $6,450 (payment plans available) | 12-18 months | None |
The cost difference between traditional and ARMRIT pathways is substantial. A four-year bachelor’s program can cost over $40,000, while Tesla MR Institute’s hybrid model costs $6,450 for the full program.
For a detailed cost breakdown across different program types, see our guide on MRI tech school costs.
MRI programs by city in Pennsylvania
Looking for MRI training in a specific Pennsylvania city? See our detailed guides:
More resources
- How to become an MRI technologist covers every step from zero experience to your first job
- MRI technologist salary guide breaks down pay by state, setting, and experience level
- MRI technologist requirements explains what employers verify during hiring
- ARRT vs ARMRIT certification helps you choose the right credential path
Next steps
- Research your pathway. Decide between ARRT and ARMRIT. Our ARRT vs ARMRIT guide breaks down the tradeoffs.
- Check clinical site availability. Tesla MR has 31 Pennsylvania sites, but availability varies by semester. Apply early.
- Talk to your employer. If you are currently working in healthcare, ask about tuition sponsorship.
- Apply. Tesla MR Institute accepts rolling applications. There is no application fee.