How much do MRI technologists make in Georgia? The median annual salary is $87,170, which is $1,010 below the national median of $88,180. Georgia MRI techs earn a median hourly wage of $41.91.
This guide breaks down MRI technologist salary in Georgia by metro area using Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2024), adds cost-of-living context, and covers how to start your career in the state.
Georgia salary overview
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 90th (top earners) | $103,670 | $49.84/hr |
| 75th | $99,010 | $47.6/hr |
| Median (50th) | $87,170 | $41.91/hr |
| 25th | $74,370 | $35.75/hr |
| 10th (entry level) | $60,410 | $29.04/hr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 (SOC 29-2035).
Salary by metro area
| Metro Area | Median Salary | Hourly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $95,090 | $45.72/hr | Atlanta metro pays significantly above state average |
| Athens-Clarke County | $84,390 | $40.57/hr | University of Georgia medical facilities |
| Savannah | $80,410 | $38.66/hr | Coastal market with growing demand |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $76,440 | $36.75/hr | Medical College of Georgia drives demand |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $76,760 | $36.91/hr | Cross-border metro |
Highest paying: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell leads at $95,090 median. Lowest paying: Chattanooga, TN-GA at $76,760.
Cost of living and take-home pay
Georgia’s cost of living index is 93 (national average = 100). This means everyday expenses are 7% below the national average, stretching your salary further.
State income tax: 1.0%-5.49% progressive.
| Factor | Georgia | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median MRI tech salary | $87,170 | $88,180 |
| Cost of living index | 93 | 100 |
| State income tax | 1.0%-5.49% | Varies |
The Atlanta metro area deserves special attention when evaluating take-home pay. MRI technologists in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell earn a median of $95,090—roughly $8,000 to $10,000 above the statewide median. While Atlanta’s cost of living is higher than rural Georgia (approximately 103 vs. the national 100 baseline), the salary premium more than compensates. An MRI tech earning $95,000 in Atlanta retains greater real purchasing power than one earning $80,000 in Augusta or Savannah. Outside the metro, Georgia’s low housing costs and lack of major metropolitan congestion make mid-range salaries go considerably further. The gap between Atlanta and rural Georgia pay is among the widest of any state, so location choice has an outsized impact on your earning potential here.
Georgia does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Because MRI relies on magnetic fields rather than ionizing radiation, the state imposes no additional registration or licensing requirements beyond national certification. This keeps the barrier to entry low and lets you begin working as soon as you pass the ARRT or ARMRIT exam.
Job market and demand
Atlanta’s rapid growth and expanding hospital networks create strong demand for MRI technologists. The metro area adds thousands of healthcare jobs annually, and imaging departments are consistently expanding to serve a growing population that now exceeds six million in the greater Atlanta area. Rural Georgia has fewer positions but lower competition and often faster hiring timelines.
Georgia employs approximately 3,100 MRI technologists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% national employment growth for MRI technologists through 2033, and Georgia’s above-average population growth suggests the state may outpace the national hiring trend. Travel MRI assignments are available throughout the state, particularly in rural areas where facilities struggle to fill permanent positions.
Employer landscape
Georgia’s healthcare market is dominated by several large systems based in Atlanta, with additional major employers in Augusta and Savannah.
Emory Healthcare is Georgia’s largest and most academically prestigious health system. Affiliated with Emory University School of Medicine, the system operates Emory University Hospital, Emory Saint Joseph’s, and multiple specialty clinics across metro Atlanta. MRI techs at Emory work with cutting-edge protocols in neuro-oncology, cardiac imaging, and musculoskeletal research. The academic environment means exposure to clinical trials and advanced sequences that are uncommon at community hospitals. Emory is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the Southeast and offers strong benefits including tuition assistance and retirement matching.
Piedmont Healthcare is one of Georgia’s largest not-for-profit health systems, operating 25+ hospitals across the state. Piedmont’s rapid expansion through acquisitions over the past decade has created significant demand for MRI technologists at both urban and suburban locations. Techs at Piedmont benefit from a large internal transfer network—if you want to relocate within Georgia, there is often a Piedmont facility nearby. The system offers competitive pay, shift differentials for evenings and weekends, and a sign-on bonus program for experienced MRI techs.
WellStar Health System serves northwest metro Atlanta and western Georgia with 11 hospitals and numerous outpatient imaging centers. WellStar’s geographic reach makes it one of the state’s most diverse employers in terms of clinical settings. MRI techs at WellStar gain broad generalist experience, scanning everything from routine knee and brain studies to complex cardiac and abdominal protocols. The system is known for investing in new equipment, with many sites running 1.5T and 3T scanners from major manufacturers.
Augusta University Medical Center anchors the state’s second-largest medical market. As the teaching hospital for the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University runs a high-volume imaging department that serves a large catchment area stretching into South Carolina. MRI techs here gain exposure to academic medicine, pediatric imaging, and trauma cases. Augusta salaries are lower than Atlanta ($76,440 median), but housing costs in the Augusta metro are among the lowest in the state.
Other notable employers include Northeast Georgia Health System (Gainesville), Memorial Health University Medical Center (Savannah), and Grady Health System (Atlanta’s public safety-net hospital, known for high-acuity trauma imaging).
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How to start your MRI career in Georgia
Georgia’s combination of no state licensing requirement, strong metro salaries, and affordable rural markets gives you flexibility to match your career to your lifestyle priorities. Whether you target Atlanta’s $95,000 median or a smaller market with lower costs, the path to becoming an MRI tech in Georgia is straightforward.
To become an MRI technologist in Georgia:
- Complete an accredited MRI program. Options include ARRT-pathway programs (require prior radiology credentials) or ARMRIT-pathway programs like Tesla MR Institute (no prior credentials needed, 12-18 months).
- Finish clinical training. Tesla MR Institute has 25+ clinical training sites across Georgia, with locations in metro Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah.
- Pass certification. Earn your ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT credential.
- Apply for positions. Georgia employers widely accept both ARRT and ARMRIT certification. Large systems like Piedmont and WellStar post openings year-round.
For detailed program options and clinical site locations, see our MRI tech programs in Georgia guide.