Texas is one of the largest markets for MRI technologists in the country. The state employs thousands of MRI techs across major medical centers in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and smaller metros, and the demand keeps growing. If you are looking at MRI tech programs in Texas, you have multiple options depending on where you live, what credentials you are starting with, and how fast you want to start working.
Here is the short version: community college programs take 2+ years and require you to learn X-ray first. University post-primary programs take 6-12 months but require existing radiology credentials. Certificate programs like Tesla MR Institute take 12-18 months and let you go directly into MRI without an X-ray prerequisite. Texas accepts both ARRT and ARMRIT credentials through the Texas Medical Board.
This guide covers Texas-specific licensing, programs by city, salary data by metro, 130+ clinical training sites across the state, and how to pick the right program for your situation.
How to become an MRI tech in Texas
Becoming an MRI technologist in Texas requires three things: completing an approved training program, passing a national certification exam (ARRT or ARMRIT), and registering with the Texas Medical Board. Here is how each step works.
Texas Medical Board (TMB) registration
Texas regulates medical imaging professionals through the TMB. Before you can work as an MRI technologist in Texas, you need TMB registration. The requirements are:
- National certification from a recognized certifying body (ARRT or ARMRIT)
- Completed application with the TMB
- Fingerprint-based background check through the Texas DPS
- Application fee (currently around $135 for initial registration)
- Proof of education from an approved program
Registration renews every two years. You will need continuing education credits to maintain your national certification (through ARRT or ARMRIT), plus a renewal fee to the TMB.
ARRT vs. ARMRIT certification in Texas
Texas accepts both ARRT and ARMRIT credentials. This matters because it means career changers can use the ARMRIT pathway, which has no X-ray prerequisite, and still get fully licensed in Texas.
If you pull MRI tech job postings in Dallas, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, you will see a mix. Some employers specify ARRT. Many say “ARRT or ARMRIT.” A few say “registered MRI technologist” without specifying which registry. The trend has been toward accepting both, especially as the MRI staffing shortage (17.4% national vacancy rate per the 2025 ASRT survey) has pushed employers to widen their hiring criteria.
Key Takeaway
Texas accepts both ARRT and ARMRIT certification through the TMB. Career changers can go directly into MRI through the ARMRIT pathway without completing an X-ray program first.
MRI tech programs in Texas by city
Dallas-Fort Worth
DFW is the largest healthcare market in Texas and one of the strongest MRI job markets in the country. Major health systems include Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health Resources, UT Southwestern, HCA Medical City Healthcare, and Methodist Health System. The BLS reports 790+ MRI positions in the Houston metro alone, and DFW is comparable in size.
Program options in DFW:
Dallas College offers a radiologic sciences program that includes hands-on MRI scanning lab experience. This is an associate degree path (2+ years) leading to ARRT certification in radiography, after which you would add MRI as a post-primary credential.
Tesla MR Institute operates 35 active clinical partner sites across the DFW metro, with 99 additional potential sites within partner networks. The program combines online didactic coursework with in-person clinical training at facilities including UT Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White (Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Waxahachie, and Temple locations), Methodist Health System (Dallas and Richardson), Envision Imaging (Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Arlington, Mansfield), North Star Diagnostic Imaging (Dallas, Frisco), and Lumexa Imaging centers across DFW. Students train at outpatient imaging centers and hospital systems in the area, preparing for the ARMRIT certification exam.
UT Southwestern alone has placed 17 Tesla MR students, the highest volume of any single Texas training site.
Dallas MRI tech salary: $75,000-$90,000 depending on experience and setting. Travel MRI positions in DFW pay $2,500-$3,500/week.
Houston
Houston has the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, and HCA Houston Healthcare all employ MRI technologists. The concentration of hospitals and imaging centers creates one of the deepest talent pools and strongest demand markets in the country.
Program options in Houston:
Lone Star College has a dedicated MRI (MRIT) advanced technical certificate program. It is a 12-month post-associate degree program that requires prior ARRT credentials in radiography.
San Jacinto College offers a medical imaging program with clinical training opportunities.
Harris Health System runs a School of Diagnostic Medical Imaging with multiple imaging modalities.
Galveston College has an MRI program that includes both didactic and clinical components.
For the direct MRI path without X-ray prerequisites, Tesla MR Institute places clinical students at Houston-area facilities including Memorial Hermann Health System (main campus, Sugar Land, and Northeast locations), RadNet Houston Medical Imaging (Dairy Ashford and Richmond Avenue), Origin MRI and Diagnostics (Katy Freeway), Capitol Imaging Services (Katy), and UTMB (Angleton). The Houston metro has multiple partner sites, giving students options that work with their commute and schedule.
Houston MRI tech salary: $72,000-$88,000. The Texas Medical Center area tends to pay at the higher end, though parking and commute costs in the med center are real factors to budget for.
Tip
If you are in Houston and already have an associate degree in radiologic technology, Lone Star College’s 12-month MRI certificate program is the fastest ARRT pathway. If you are a career changer without radiology credentials, Tesla MR’s ARMRIT pathway gets you into MRI in 12-18 months without needing X-ray first.
San Antonio
San Antonio’s healthcare market is anchored by University Health, Methodist Healthcare (HCA), Baptist Health System (Tenet), and the San Antonio Military Medical Center. The military presence adds unique MRI positions, and the city’s growing population keeps demand steady.
Program options in San Antonio:
The University of the Incarnate Word has a radiologic technology program. Baptist Health System has historically been involved in clinical education. Alamo Colleges District offers imaging-related programs.
Tesla MR has 130+ clinical sites in the San Antonio metro area for students using the ARMRIT pathway, including Shannon Clinic locations in the San Angelo area and AdventHealth in Killeen.
San Antonio MRI tech salary: $68,000-$82,000. Lower than DFW and Houston on paper, but San Antonio’s cost of living is meaningfully lower. The salary-to-cost-of-living ratio is competitive, and many techs in San Antonio report that their dollar goes further than colleagues earning more in Austin or Dallas.
Austin
Austin’s healthcare sector is growing fast. Major employers include Ascension Seton, St. David’s Healthcare (HCA), and Baylor Scott & White. The city has fewer imaging facilities per capita than DFW or Houston, which means fewer clinical site options but also less competition for MRI positions.
Program options in Austin:
Austin Community College (ACC) has a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIT) certificate program. Coursework begins in the Fall semester only, so you will need to plan your application timeline accordingly. This is a post-primary program requiring prior ARRT credentials.
Tesla MR has clinical placements in the Austin area, though the number of partner sites is smaller than in DFW or Houston. Students in Austin sometimes train at sites in surrounding communities (Round Rock, San Marcos, Georgetown).
Austin MRI tech salary: $70,000-$85,000. Austin’s cost of living is higher than other Texas metros, particularly housing. Factor that in when comparing Austin to San Antonio or DFW suburbs.
Other Texas locations
Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls) offers an MRI certificate program designed for working radiology professionals, allowing students to complete coursework while maintaining employment.
Beyond the big four metros, Texas has MRI tech demand in cities including Lubbock, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Waco, Tyler, Midland-Odessa, and the Rio Grande Valley. Tesla MR has placed students at sites in Lubbock (2 student placements at Lubbock Open Air MRI), Waco (Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest), Tyler, Cross Roads, Midland, Decatur, and Longview. For students in smaller Texas cities, a program with a national clinical network may provide more flexibility than local community college options.
Texas clinical training sites: 135+ locations statewide
One of the biggest factors in choosing an MRI tech program is where you will complete your clinical training. Tesla MR Institute maintains 130+ clinical training sites across Texas, broken into two categories: active training partners (facilities currently accepting students) and potential training sites within established partner networks.
Active training partners (130+ sites)
These facilities are actively training Tesla MR students right now. Forty-one students have completed clinical placements at Texas partner sites to date.
Dallas metro (130+ sites):
- UT Southwestern Medical Center (17 students placed, the busiest site in Texas)
- Baylor Scott & White - Dallas, Plano (The Heart Hospital), Frisco (Centennial), Waxahachie, Marble Falls
- Methodist Health System - Dallas and Richardson campuses
- Envision Imaging - Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Arlington, Mansfield
- North Star Diagnostic Imaging - Dallas, Frisco
- Lumexa Imaging (formerly US Radiology/Touchstone) - Dallas, Denton, Midlothian
Fort Worth area (130+ sites):
- Midtown Medical Imaging - Fort Worth (Jerome Street) and Southlake
- Additional imaging centers in the Fort Worth metro
Houston metro (130+ sites):
- Memorial Hermann Health System - Main campus, Sugar Land, Northeast (Humble)
- RadNet Houston Medical Imaging - Dairy Ashford and Richmond Avenue
- Origin MRI and Diagnostics - Katy Freeway
- Capitol Imaging Services - Katy
- UTMB - Angleton
Central/South Texas (130+ sites):
- AdventHealth - Killeen
- Shannon Clinic - San Angelo (2 locations)
- Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s - Temple
Tip
Not sure which clinical site is closest to you? Tesla MR matches students to training locations based on geography and schedule. Most students train at a facility within 30-45 minutes of their home.
Potential clinical training sites (130+ sites)
These are facilities within Tesla MR’s established partner networks (Envision Imaging, North Star Diagnostic, Midtown Medical, HCA Medical City, Texas Health Resources, Tenet/Baptist, Rayus, and Methodist Health System) that can be activated for student placements. Highlights include:
Fort Worth area (130+ sites): Envision Imaging (North Fort Worth, Hulen, Southwest Fort Worth, Pennsylvania Avenue), Midtown Medical Imaging (Hemphill, Alliance), HCA Medical City Fort Worth, and additional locations
Dallas area (130+ sites): Texas Health Resources, Envision Imaging (Old Town, DeSoto), Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Tenet Health, North Star Diagnostic (Carrollton), and additional locations
Suburbs and mid-cities (130+ sites): Sites in Allen, Bedford, Celina, Cleburne, DeSoto, Denton, Euless, Flower Mound, McKinney, Rockwall, and surrounding communities
Houston area (130+ sites): Additional Sugar Land, Katy, and Greater Houston locations within partner networks
San Angelo area (130+ sites): Shannon Clinic network locations across the San Angelo region
This network means that even if your nearest active partner site is not ideal for your commute, there is likely a potential site closer to you that can be activated.
Comparing MRI tech program options in Texas
| Factor | Community college (associate degree) | University post-primary | Certificate program (Tesla MR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 2-3 years (with prerequisites) | 6-12 months | 12-18 months |
| Cost | $8,000-$15,000 | $10,000-$20,000 | $11,000-$13,000 |
| Credential | ARRT (radiography first, then add MRI) | ARRT MRI post-primary | ARMRIT |
| Prerequisites | Anatomy, A&P, math, English | Existing ARRT certification | High school diploma/GED |
| Online option | Mostly in-person | Varies | Didactic online, clinical in-person |
| Clinical sites | Through college partnerships | Through program | Through Tesla MR’s 135+ Texas sites |
| X-ray required first | Yes (for most CC programs) | Yes | No |
| Financial aid | Yes (FAFSA eligible) | Varies | Payment plans available |
When a community college makes sense
If you want an associate degree, plan to stack multiple imaging credentials (X-ray plus MRI plus CT), or need FAFSA financial aid, the community college path is worth the longer timeline. Programs at San Jacinto College, Lone Star College, ACC, and Dallas College are well-regarded. The degree also gives you ARRT credentials, which some employers prefer.
The trade-off: you spend 2+ years before you are earning MRI money, and you complete X-ray training first even if MRI is your goal.
When a certificate program makes sense
If you want the fastest path to working as an MRI tech, do not want to complete X-ray training, and are comfortable with ARMRIT credentials, the certificate path gets you earning sooner. At roughly $11,000-$13,000 for Tesla MR, the total investment is comparable to community college tuition but compresses the timeline.
The trade-off: no associate degree, no FAFSA eligibility, and ARMRIT acceptance varies by employer (though it is widely accepted in Texas and growing).
When a post-primary program makes sense
If you already hold ARRT credentials in radiography, CT, or another modality, adding MRI through a post-primary program is the fastest path. Lone Star College’s 12-month program and Midwestern State’s certificate are designed for this scenario. You would take the ARRT MRI post-primary exam rather than the primary exam.
MRI tech salary in Texas by metro area
Based on BLS data and Texas-specific job posting analysis. Texas has no state income tax, so these figures represent higher take-home pay than equivalent salaries in states like California or New York.
| Metro area | Entry-level | Mid-career | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $60,000-$70,000 | $75,000-$90,000 | $90,000-$105,000 |
| Houston | $58,000-$68,000 | $72,000-$88,000 | $88,000-$100,000 |
| Austin | $56,000-$66,000 | $70,000-$85,000 | $85,000-$98,000 |
| San Antonio | $54,000-$64,000 | $68,000-$82,000 | $80,000-$95,000 |
| El Paso | $50,000-$60,000 | $62,000-$75,000 | $75,000-$88,000 |
| Rural Texas | $48,000-$58,000 | $60,000-$72,000 | $72,000-$85,000 |
The national median for MRI technologists is $88,180 per year according to May 2024 BLS data. Texas falls slightly below the national median on average, but the absence of state income tax effectively closes that gap. An MRI tech earning $80,000 in Texas takes home more than one earning $88,000 in California after state and local taxes.
DFW consistently pays the most in Texas for MRI technologists, with Houston close behind. The gap between DFW and San Antonio at the entry level is about $6,000-$8,000 per year, but San Antonio’s housing costs are noticeably lower.
Travel MRI positions in Texas metros pay $2,000-$3,500/week ($100,000-$150,000+ annualized), though these require experience and the willingness to take contract assignments.
Key Takeaway
Texas MRI tech salaries range from $60,000-$105,000 depending on metro and experience. Factor in zero state income tax when comparing to out-of-state opportunities. DFW and Houston pay the most; San Antonio and El Paso offer lower salaries but meaningfully lower cost of living.
The Texas MRI tech job market
Texas adds population faster than almost any other state, and healthcare hiring follows population growth. The state consistently has some of the highest demand for MRI technologists in the country.
Why Texas demand is strong
Several factors drive the Texas MRI job market:
- Major health systems with ongoing needs: HCA Healthcare (Medical City network), Tenet (Baptist Health), Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health Resources, and Memorial Hermann all operate MRI departments with regular hiring cycles
- Outpatient imaging expansion: RadNet, Envision Imaging, SimonMed, North Star Diagnostic, and independent imaging centers are expanding, especially in suburban DFW and Houston
- Population growth: Texas gained over 470,000 residents in 2024 alone. More people means more imaging demand
- Aging population: The 65+ demographic drives the majority of MRI utilization, and Texas’s senior population is growing fast
- The staffing shortage: The 2025 ASRT Staffing Survey reports a 17.4% MRI vacancy rate nationally, up from 16.2% in 2023. Texas is not immune
No state income tax advantage
This comes up in every Texas salary discussion, and it should. Texas is one of nine states with no income tax. For an MRI tech earning $80,000, that means roughly $3,200-$4,800 more in take-home pay compared to working in a state with 4-6% income tax. Over a 30-year career, the tax savings alone can exceed $100,000.
This makes Texas an attractive destination for MRI techs relocating from higher-tax states, which also means more competition for positions in desirable metros like Austin.
How to choose the right MRI tech program in Texas
The right program depends on your situation. Answer these questions first:
Where do you live? If you are in DFW or Houston, you have the most options for both programs and clinical sites. If you are in a smaller Texas city, a program with a broad clinical network (like Tesla MR, which has 135+ Texas sites) may give you more flexibility than programs tied to a single campus.
What credentials does your local market accept? Pull 20-30 MRI tech job postings in your target city and count how many accept ARMRIT vs. require ARRT. In most Texas metros, the split favors accepting both, but the ratio varies by employer type. Hospital systems lean slightly toward ARRT; outpatient imaging centers are generally more open to ARMRIT.
How fast do you need to start earning? If you need MRI income within 18 months, the certificate path is faster. If you have 2-3 years and want the associate degree, the community college path works. Use our timeline guide to map out realistic expectations.
Do you need financial aid? Community colleges accept FAFSA. Certificate programs typically do not, but Tesla MR offers payment plans and scholarship opportunities that keep monthly costs manageable.
Can you attend in-person classes? If your schedule does not allow daytime campus classes, an online-didactic program with local clinical training is your best option. This is how most Tesla MR students in Texas complete their training while working.
Do you already have radiology credentials? If you hold ARRT in radiography or another modality, a post-primary program at Lone Star College, ACC, or Midwestern State gets you MRI-certified in 6-12 months. No need to start from scratch.
Steps to get started as an MRI tech in Texas
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Check TMB requirements at the Texas Medical Board website. Understand the registration process so there are no surprises after you graduate.
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Research job postings in your target city. Identify which credentials employers want and what salary range you can expect.
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Contact programs and ask about clinical placement in your specific area. For Tesla MR, ask about clinical partner sites near you.
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Calculate your total cost including tuition, compliance fees, clinical commute, and opportunity cost of any lost work income during training. Our cost breakdown guide covers what to budget for.
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Start compliance items early. Texas background checks go through DPS fingerprinting, which can take a few weeks. Get immunizations and CPR certification scheduled before your program start date.
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Enroll and commit to the schedule. The students who finish on time are the ones who treat clinical hours as non-negotiable. Treat your training like the job it is preparing you for.
MRI programs by city in Texas
Looking for MRI training in a specific Texas city? See our detailed guides:
- MRI tech programs in Arlington
- MRI tech programs in Austin
- MRI tech programs in Dallas
- MRI tech programs in Fort Worth
- MRI tech programs in Frisco
- MRI tech programs in Houston
- MRI tech programs in Katy
- MRI tech programs in Killeen
- MRI tech programs in Lubbock
- MRI tech programs in McKinney
- MRI tech programs in Odessa
- MRI tech programs in Plano
- MRI tech programs in San Angelo
- MRI tech programs in San Antonio
Related reading
- How to become an MRI technologist (the complete national guide)
- ARRT vs. ARMRIT certification (which one is right for you)
- ARMRIT certification guide (requirements, exam prep, and timeline)
- Best MRI tech program for career changers
- MRI tech without X-ray certification
- How much does MRI tech school cost?
- MRI tech programs near me
- Accelerated MRI tech programs
- MRI technologist salary guide
- MRI staffing shortage (why demand keeps growing)