Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher vs MRI Technologist: Career Comparison
Choosing between Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher and MRI Technologist? This side-by-side compares salary, outlook, education, skills, and what the work actually looks like day-to-day. Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher typically pays more at the median. Both are research-backed Qoollege career guides — read either in full below.
Side-by-side
Higher salary ceiling: Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher. Faster projected growth: Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher. Same education level: no.
| Attribute | Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher | MRI Technologist |
|---|---|---|
| Salary range | $95k – $165k | $60k – $90k |
| Outlook & demand | High · +18% by 2034 | Strong · +5% by 2034 |
| Education level | Master | Associate |
| Top skills | User Research, Statistics, Communication, Usability Testing, Empathy | Patient Care, MRI Technology, Detail Orientation, Physics, Communication |
| Where they work | tech companies, consumer electronics, healthcare, transportation, telecommunications, consulting firms, government agencies, software companies, product teams, research labs | hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, physician offices, specialty clinics, research institutions, mobile MRI units |
| Day-to-day work | Daily work usually mixes interviews, usability tests, data analysis, and teamwork. Some projects focus on understanding people before a product is built, while others check whether an existing product is actually working for users. | Daily work is a mix of patient preparation, scanner operation, safety checks, and image quality review. The job is highly structured and safety-focused, and technologists often need to stay calm while helping anxious or uncomfortable patients. |
| Education routes | 4-year degree; Master's degree; Bootcamp / certificate route; Self-taught / adjacent-role pivot | Associate’s degree in radiologic technology; MRI-focused certificate after college; Bachelor’s degree in radiologic science or medical imaging; Employer-based or apprenticeship-style training |
| Projected growth | +18% | +5% |
Read full guides
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