How long does mri technologist training take in South Dakota?

Most people become an MRI Technologist in South Dakota through an MRI program plus ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT; add a state CRT only if the job includes X-ray.

Do mri technologists need a license in South Dakota?

No statewide license is required for mri technologists in South Dakota. Most employers expect industry certifications such as ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT.

How to Become an MRI Technologist in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do mri technologists earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), mri technologists in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $77,010. Employment concentration in South Dakota is about 1.66 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for mri technologists in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 210 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota magnetic resonance imaging technologists earn a median annual wage of $77,010 ($37.03/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 210 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -19.3% below the national median of $95,480 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $77,010 ($37.03/hr)
25th percentile: $67,620 per year
75th percentile: $83,130 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $97,660 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $51,160 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 210
Versus national median: -19.3% below the U.S. median of $95,480
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.66 - this occupation is more concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

South Dakota employs about 210 mri technologists earning a median $77,010 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an MRI Technologist here means completing an MRI program plus ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT; add a state CRT only if the job includes X-ray.

South Dakota employs approximately 210 mri technologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,010 ¹. The state’s concentration of mri technologist jobs is 1.66x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, mri technologist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an MRI Technologist in South Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: MRI educational program (find programs)
Typical timeline: an MRI program plus ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT; add a state CRT only if the job includes X-ray
Exam: ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT
Median wage (South Dakota): $77,010 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an MRI Technologist in South Dakota

How to become an MRI Technologist in South Dakota? Complete an MRI program plus ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT; add a state CRT only if the job includes X-ray. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish an MRI program plus ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT; add a state CRT only if the job includes X-ray. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in South Dakota? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT. See the licensing section below.

What do mri technologists earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for mri technologists in South Dakota is $77,010 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $51,160 and experienced professionals can earn $97,660 or more ¹.

How to Become an MRI Technologist in South Dakota

Meet program entry rules. MRI programs in South Dakota typically require a high school diploma or GED and often a radiography background. Confirm prerequisites with the program.
Complete an MRI educational program. Finish an MRI program that meets ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT eligibility. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Earn ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT. Pass ARRT magnetic resonance or ARMRIT. Employers typically require one of these.
Confirm ionizing-radiation rules. Most states do not issue an MRI-only certificate. If the job uses X-ray or fluoroscopy, a state radiologic credential may be required. Confirm with the employer.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

MRI Technologist License Requirements in South Dakota

Most states do not issue a standalone MRI license. Employers expect ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT. A state CRT applies only if the role uses X-ray.

Typical path

Complete an MRI educational program.
Earn ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT.
Add a state CRT only if the job includes ionizing radiation.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

MRI Technologist Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), magnetic resonance imaging technologists wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Sioux Falls	120	$75,510	$74,860	$51,160	$95,270
Rapid City	50	$81,840	$83,400	$67,620	$97,660

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for mri technologists in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 210 mri technologists ¹. Nationally, mri technologist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.

How much do mri technologists earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for mri technologists in South Dakota is $77,010, which is $11,170 below the national median of $88,180 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Dakota

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)