80 MRI Statistics: Usage, Market Share, and Cost

Did you know the first MRI exam on a live human patient was done on July 3, 1977?

It was done by Physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi, who later won a Nobel Prize in 1944 for his "resonance method for recording the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei."

In an interview with News Medical in 2023, Brad Sutton, a professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, explains that: "[Magnetic Resonance Imaging] MRI has become one of the most important tools for doctors to see inside the body and understand what is happening in disease."

Sutton added, "In the next few years, we will see new MRI systems with even higher magnetic fields, providing even higher spatial resolution images of the body and brain."

In modern medicine, MRI is a handy tool for diagnosis. We offer whole-body MRI, allowing you to identify your risk factors early. 

 To help you better understand MRIs, we have compiled a list of the latest MRI trends and stats.

MRI Usage Statistics

As noted above, MRI is a very useful tool in the early detection of diseases. This is, among other things, true for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a disease that damages nerves and makes it hard to communicate because it affects the brain and spinal cord. MS usually doesn't show signs, but MRI scans can show disease activity that regular tests might miss.

Dr. Timothy Vollmer, Medical Director of the Rocky Mountain MS Center, explains:

MRIs have proven pivotal in doctors' diagnosis and treatment plans. Many types of MRI are used for specific tests and to observe disease progression. 

• In August 2021, X-ray was the most common procedure, with 1.6 million procedures, followed by ultrasound with 0.72 million, CT scan with 0.49 million, and MRI with 0.29 million.¹²
• The time between requesting and performing a test in August 2021 varied widely. X-ray, Fluoroscopy, and Medical Photography were done on the same day, while MRI tests took up to 24 days.¹²

• The increasing development of intraoperative MRI and its use in various applications, like neurosurgery, is expected to drive market growth from 2024 to 2030.¹⁴
• Additionally, diffusion-weighted MRI is primarily used to detect a stroke within 30 minutes of it happening.¹⁴

A study in the JAMA Network looked at 135 million imaging exams in 7 US health systems and Ontario. It found that the yearly increase in imaging rates for CT and MRI scans among US adults and older adults slowed down over time.¹⁸

• For CT scans, the annual growth rate among adults dropped from 11.6% in 2000-2006 to 3.7% in 2013-2016, and for older adults, it dropped from 9.5% to 5.2%.¹⁸ 
• For MRI scans, the rate among adults fell from 11.4% in 2000-2004 to 1.3% in 2007-2016; for older adults, it decreased from 11.3% to 2.2%.¹⁸
• For children, the annual growth rate for CT scans either leveled off or dropped (in the United States: from 10.1% in 2000-2005 to 0.8% in 2013-2016; in Ontario: from 3.3% in 2000-2006 to −5.3% in 2006-2016). However, MRI trends were similar to those seen in adults.¹⁸
• Another study on utilization trends in LMICs found that from 2009 to 2019, the population in the Western Cape, South Africa, increased by 25%, and the total number of imaging investigations rose by 32%.¹⁹
• Between 2009 and 2019, the number of imaging tests per 1,000 people rose from 256 to 270. This is a 5% overall increase, averaging 1.4 additional tests per year per 1,000 people.⁹
• In the provincial US, the use of CT and MRI scans per 1,000 people between 2009-2019 increased significantly: CT by 111% (from 20 to 43 per 1,000), MRI by 78% (from 10 to 18 per 1,000), and other types of MRI by 32% (from 1.9 to 2.5 per 1,000).¹⁹ 
• Meanwhile, the use of fluoroscopy (from 3.6 to 3.7 per 1,000) and mammography (from 14.2 to 15.9 per 1,000 women aged 40-70) stayed about the same. However, plain radiography, which takes pictures of internal structures using X-rays, decreased by 20% (from 216 to 196 per 1,000).¹⁹
• MRI exams fell sharply during the first COVID-19 wave, with the most significant drop in April 2020. Compared to April 2019, there was a 47.5% decrease compared to April 2018 and a 42.2% decrease.²⁰
• The rate of MRI exams in Tel-Aviv compared to the Northern periphery increased from 2.89 in April 2019 to 3.94 in April 2020.²⁰
• In the Jerusalem metropolitan region with the highest number of COVID cases, MRI usage dropped by only 1% during the first ten months of the pandemic.²⁰

The growth in the MRI market mirrors trends seen in healthcare as a whole. This increase in MRI use is understandable because MRIs provide detailed images without invasive procedures or radiation, unlike X-rays and CT scans. This makes them essential for diagnosing and treating conditions, especially in neurosurgery and stroke detection.

MRI Statistics by Country

MRIs have changed and will continue to change how healthcare are supported and influenced globally. Current trends indicate a global disparity surrounding MRI availability in certain parts of the world. 

In 2023, Hilabi, B.S., et al. observed, "Although [MRI] was invented in 1974, access to this innovative and clinically valuable imaging technique remains limited in developing/underdeveloped countries. Its usage in LMICs is still somewhat limited compared to the industrialized world, and it continues to advance exponentially each year due to stronger magnets.”

• Over the previous six years, MRI exams climbed by 0.9% in Canada, whereas procedure volume expanded by 3%–4% in the US in 2021.¹³

Magnetic field strength (Tesla) T is used to categorize MRI machines: low-field MRIs have a field strength of less than 1.5 T, mid-field MRIs have a field strength of 1.5 T to 3 T, and high-field MRIs have a field strength of greater than 3 T.¹⁴

• In 2024, about 80% of MRI systems will be 1.5T. Most procedures will be led by the private sector. Advanced technologies and applications like point-of-care, pediatrics, dry magnets, compact MRI, and fusion imaging are driving the global market and will keep doing so in the future.¹³
• By 2024, partnerships between public and private sectors, along with local production by Extraocular Muscles (EOMs) (muscles within the orbit but outside the eyeball), are expected to significantly boost the use of 1.5T MRI equipment across Latin America.¹³
• North America dominated the world market in 2023 with a more than 36.74% share. The need for sophisticated imaging analysis is rising in this region due to the rising frequency of chronic illnesses such as neurological diseases, cardiovascular problems, and breast cancer.¹⁴
• Due to an aging population and growing demand for cutting-edge imaging technology, the Asia Pacific region is predicted to increase at the quickest pace, 7.4%, between 2024 and 2030.¹⁴
• MRI sales in India are expected to rise at a noteworthy 8.0% CAGR between 2024 and 2030.¹⁴

Significant differences exist between countries regarding how frequently and where MRI technology is available and used. The distribution of MRI machines is unequal, developed countries like Japan and the US possess more MRI machines than West Africa and Southeast Asia. 

Nigatu, A.M. et al. agree: "The challenge is very critical, especially for low—and middle-income countries (LMICs), due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of imaging technology, inaccessibility, affordability, acceptability, a shortage of radiologists, migration from low-income to high-income countries, and a lack of technical experts." 

The steady rise in MRI machines and processes in developed countries dramatically differs from the need for more access in less developed areas. As more improved imaging tools are used to diagnose chronic illnesses, fixing these problems will be important to achieving global health equity.

MRI Market Share and Size Statistics

Rising at a yearly rate of 2.5%, the MRI market is projected to reach $4.52 billion by 2024.¹³ As modern medicine advances, the size and proportion of MRI markets are expanding fast.

• In Japan and ASEAN, sales of new 3T machines in 2021 exceeded those in any other year. Sales of 1.5T machines likewise increased in China and India.¹³
• The global MRI market was valued at $6.64 billion in 2023. From 2024 to 2030, its annual growth rate is expected to be 6.5%.¹⁴

Rising spine lesions, tumors, and strokes are expected to expand the market further. 

• The National Center for Health Statistics stated that there were around 1,958,310 new cancer cases and 609,820 cancer deaths recorded in the United States in 2023. The increasing need for speedy and practical diagnostic procedures is also projected to drive the adoption of MRI equipment.¹⁴
• MRI diagnostic screening dropped 47.5% from 2019 to 2020 because of Covid-19.¹⁴
• In 2023, more than 75.47% of the market comprised closed MRI systems.¹⁴

Closed MRI devices use strong magnetic fields and high-frequency radio waves to produce clear pictures. Their enclosed form allows for the choice of exact picture slices. 

• From 2024 to 2030, open MRI systems are expected to grow at a CAGR rate of 7.7%. This is mainly because their open form makes patients feel less anxious and claustrophobic.¹⁴
• Around 12.5% of people experience Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) when considering an MRI. ¹⁷ 

In a YouTube video on 'How Open Upright MRI Helps Claustrophobic Patients', MRI technician Travis Gould assists in calming and supporting the patient as part of the Open Upright MRI of Missouri team of specialists,

"They come here because they have a problem, and we're trying our best to help out with whatever problem they have so we can get them onto the next part of their treatment because a lot of the time, they can't move on from here. I mean, you can have a CT [and] an X-ray, but an MRI is [the gold standard] of a lot of imagining because of the detail it brings." 

• The mid-field strength MRI segment had the largest share at 47.70% in 2023 and is expected to see significant growth from 2024 to 2030.¹⁴
• The high-field MRI segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate of 7.9% from 2024 to 2030.¹⁴
• In 2023, the hospital segment had the largest share at 37.87%, thanks to the growing number of MRI units installed in hospitals.¹⁴
• The MRI segment of imaging centers is expected to grow the fastest, with a rate of about 7.8% from 2024 to 2030.¹⁴
• MRI systems led the market in 2023, making up about 22.96% of the revenue. This dominance is due to the higher quality and detailed scans they provide compared to CT scans.¹⁴

• The global MRI market was worth $7.55 billion in 2022. It's projected to reach $11.07 billion by 2032, growing at a rate of 3.91% per year from 2023 to 2032.¹⁶
• In 2023, the market for MRI systems was worth $5.73 billion. It is projected to grow at a rate of over 4% per year from 2023 to 2033.¹⁵

The MRI market is changing dramatically because of new technologies and the need for accurate diagnosis. The growing inclination toward a more patient-focused approach to the MRI market helps with stressors like anxiety. This consideration, paired with the innovation of new MRI technology, has shown promise in the market.

MRI Technician Statistics

MRI technicians get paid differently depending on where they live and how many imaging techniques they have.

Radiologic technologists conduct imaging tests on patients to help diagnose medical conditions. MRI technologists specifically use MRI scanners to produce detailed diagnostic images.

• In May 2023, the median annual salary for MRI technologists in the US was $83,740, while radiologic technologists and technicians earned a median annual salary of $73,410.¹⁰
• Employment for radiologic and MRI technologists in the US is expected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all jobs. On average, there will be about 15,700 job openings each year for radiologic and MRI technologists over this decade.¹⁰

• Most MRI technologists are White, making up 69.7% of the US population. Hispanic or Latino MRI technologists account for 11.0%, while Asian MRI technologists make up 10.4%.²¹
• Black or African American MRI technologists have the lowest average salary at $88,924.²¹

Former US Veteran and registered MRI, CAT scan, and X-ray Technician Tracy Walker advises viewers on his YouTube channel on how much a technician should be getting paid in Texas: “MRI [technicians] should be getting paid $35 [an hour] and up. Do not let anyone pay you less than that.” 

He further advises,

• Most MRI technologists are over 40 years old, making up 65% of the total population in this field in the US.²¹
• The most common degree for MRI technologists is an associate degree, held by 56% of them. The second most common is a bachelor's degree, held by 27%, followed by another bachelor's degree category at 3%.²¹
• MRI technologists in California earn the highest salaries, averaging $100,572 a year.²¹

MRI and radiologic technologists are in high demand, and the job market is growing quickly. More and more people from different educational backgrounds are working in this field, and their importance to modern healthcare influences the demand for skilled technicians. 

MRI Machine Statistics

There are many MRI types, each used for different kinds of imaging. The number of MRI machines available globally is increasing, similar to the growth in MRI market share compared to CT and X-ray machines.

• In 2020, Japan had 7,240 MRI scanners, an increase of 244 scanners (3.49%) since 2017. Although growth slowed, this is the highest number of MRI scanners recorded during the observed period.⁷
• In 2021, there were about 5,800 MRI units worldwide. Market research company Next Move Strategy Consulting predicts that this number will surpass 10,700 by 2030.⁸
• Japan has the highest number of MRI units among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, with over 57 units available per million people.⁹
• The United States and Korea have about 28 and 36 MRI units per million people, respectively. In contrast, Mexico and Colombia have around 3 and 0.2 MRI units per million people.⁹
• In 2016, over 370 million people in West Africa had access to just 84 MRI facilities, with more than two-thirds of these units in Nigeria.¹¹
• In 2017, the African region had the fewest MRI scanners per million people (0.7), followed by the Southeast Asian region (1.1), the Eastern Mediterranean region (2.8), and the Americas (4.1).¹¹
• In 2017, the Asia Pacific region had the highest number of MRI scanners per million people, with 5.4 scanners.¹¹
• In England, 40.3 million imaging tests were reported between September 2020 and August 2021. Out of these, 3.22 million tests were conducted in August 2021.¹²
• The number of imaging tests is on the rise in England. According to a report by the NHS, England recorded 44.0 million imaging tests leading up to March 2022, a 26% increase from the 34.9 million tests performed the previous year.²⁹

• The number of MRI scanners in the United Kingdom stayed about the same in 2014 as it was in 2013, with roughly 467 scanners. However, 2014 still marked the highest number of MRI scanners in the UK at that time.³⁰
• In 2021, the number of MRI scanners in Germany remained steady at about 35.25 scanners per million people, the same as in 2020. Despite no significant change from the previous year, this still marks a peak for MRI scanners in Germany at 35.25 per million inhabitants.³¹
• In 2019, Denmark had the most CT scanners in hospitals among EU countries with data, with 4.0 scanners per 100,000 people. Cyprus followed with 3.5 scanners, then Bulgaria with 2.9, and Italy and Sweden both had 2.6. Romania had the fewest CT scanners per 100,000 people with 0.9, followed by France with 1.1, and the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia each had 1.4.³²
• In 2019, Finland had the highest availability of MRI units, with 2.9 units per 100,000 people. Cyprus followed with 2.0 units, Italy with 1.8, and Sweden with 1.7. Slovakia and Romania had the lowest availability, with 0.4 units per 100,000 people, followed by Bulgaria, Latvia, and Poland, each with 0.6 units.³²

The number and availability of MRIs clearly vary around the world, mainly due to MRI disparity. However, the growing healthcare field creates a market opportunity for MRI in LMICs. Imaging services are crucial for diagnosing and treating the increasing number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in these regions, as well as many infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and COVID-19.

Hilabi, B. S. et al. suggest: “[making] MRI facilities more accessible in developing countries, it is imperative that training programs be generated and additional resources be deployed. This is because charging patients for an MRI at the same price as in industrialized nations would be improper. It is essential for the healthcare delivery systems in the developing world to improve access to MRI for advanced medical imaging.”

MRI Cost Statistics

Despite the many advantages of MRI systems, the high costs of purchasing and installing these machines are affecting market growth, particularly in developing regions.

Did you know that Norwegian law requires doctors to assess the costs and benefits of medical treatments before patients receive them? To do this properly, doctors need to be well-informed about these benefits and costs.

In 2006, the Research Institute of the Norwegian Medical Association surveyed 1,400 Norwegian physicians, asking them to estimate the total cost of a standard MRI examination of a knee, including both patient payments and the standard fee reclaimable from health authorities.

Melberg, H. O, and Bringedal, B. found that: 

• 57% of respondents either overestimated or underestimated the actual price of 1250 NOK (approximately $118) by 50% or more.
• The most common mistake was overestimating the cost: 47% thought it was over NOK 1875 (approximately $176), while 10% believed it was under NOK 625 (approximately $59).

In short, Melberg and Brigedal deduced that doctors don’t actually know the costs of MRI exams and say: “doctors should know more about costs. They cannot fulfill their role as gate-keepers without such knowledge.”

A single MRI scan can cost up to $4,000, twice that of a CT scan.^9,23

MRI scans are mainly used to image organs, soft tissues, ligaments, and other hard-to-see parts of the body. In contrast, CT scanners are more commonly used to view bony structures.

• An MRI scanner is a significant investment for a practice or hospital, with prices ranging from $150,000 to several million dollars.⁹
• The average cost of a low- to mid-strength MRI machine is over $1 million.¹⁴
• A knee MRI in the United States usually costs between $500 and $3,000.²²
• The cost of a knee MRI varies a lot depending on the state. It ranges from $427 in Oklahoma to $1,191 in Alaska. On average, though, it costs $788 nationwide, according to Healthcare Bluebook.²²

Dr. Jason Whealing, B. Chiro SC, M. Chiro, founder of the blog site Physickle, advises that if you are low-income or using Medicare/Medicaid, "The MRI might be around $200."

• Under Original Medicare, you'll have to pay 20% of the cost for an MRI if you haven't met your deductible yet.²³
• In Oklahoma, the average cost of a knee MRI is $427, while in Alaska, it's $1,191.²²

Here's the average cost range for MRI scans across the USA:

1. Cervical Spine: $1,400 – $7,600.²²
2. Shoulder, Hand, Arm: $1,050 – $7,000.²²
3. Brain: $1,600 – $8,400.²²

• An MRI in Texas is about $1,000. However, it can range from $500 to $3,000. Where the MRI is done, the kind of institution, and if you have health insurance will all affect the precise cost.²²
• A knee MRI in California runs from $500 to $3,000, with an average cost of around $1,100.²²
• A knee MRI in New York usually runs $1,200. However, rates range from $500 to $3,000.²²
• Medicare.gov claims that an outpatient MRI scan runs, on average, around $17. The average cost is $9 if you obtain the MRI when hospital admission is in progress.²³
• Without insurance, a brain MRI can cost about $4,000.²³
• Another study found that the price of a hip MRI in Iowa varies greatly, from $485 to $4,463.²³
• The new MRI machine in India costs about ₹18.4 lakh ($22,000), roughly 50 times cheaper than traditional MRI machines ranging from ₹9 crore to ₹13 crore.²⁴

• In 2014, the U.S. conducted more MRI exams than many other wealthy countries, with each MRI costing an average of $1,119. This price was 42% higher than in the United Kingdom, 122% higher than in Switzerland, and 420% higher than in Australia.²⁵
• In 2017, an MRI scan cost an average of $1,430 in the United States.²⁶
• As of 2017, an MRI in the Netherlands cost $190.²⁶

A study in the JACR looked at 102,717 patients (average age 45.6 years; 64.8% women; 58.8% White) who had 229,010 imaging exams between 2000 and 2019. ²⁷

• During this period, the average costs for mammography, radiography, and ultrasonography rose by 14.5%, 24.5%, and 40%, respectively, while the average cost for CT or MRI scans dropped by 15.1%. Additionally, 51% of patients had out-of-pocket expenses.²⁷
• Out-of-pocket costs for imagining exams rose by 89.8% from 2000 to 2019.²⁷
• The average out-of-pocket cost for mammograms dropped by 32.9%. Meanwhile, the average cost for X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT or MRI scans increased by 81%, 123.2%, and 61%, respectively.²⁷

MRI costs can be quite high, especially in the United States. Despite the cost, MRI scans have increased (as we have established above) due to their importance in diagnosing various health conditions.

In the case of high costs, LMICs share a common challenge in the field of MRIs. Countries like Northwest Ethiopia practice severe cost savings for digital image consults via telegram. A radiologist key-informant remarked that having access to the digital image consultation made examining the patient much easier.

The Telegram consultation option allowed patients to save on costs related to accommodation and transportation because it was a free consultation service at a distance provided by the social relationship between the referring clinicians and the radiologist.

Although this sounds positive, drawbacks like remote location or security issues almost always turn imaging technicians away.

The fact remains that MRIs and the imaging service costs associated with them are high, and not everyone can afford them, even with insurance.

If you’re interested in a full body scan without the expensive price point, book a scan with us today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. A Review of Magnetic Resonance (MR) Safety
2. Magnetic Resonance (MRI) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
3. MRI FAQs
4. What does 'End of Life' mean for MRI scanners?
5. MRI FAQs: Everything You Want to Know
6. This Month in Physics History
7. Number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units installed in Japan from 2002 to 2020
8. Number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units worldwide from 2021 to 2030
9. Number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units in selected countries as of 2021
10. Radiologic and MRI Technologists
11. Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Healthcare in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
12. Diagnostic Imaging Dataset Statistical Release
13. Global Trends for MRI
14. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Market Size
15. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Systems Market Report Overview
16. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Market
17. Claustrophobia
18. Trends in Use of Medical Imaging in US Health Care Systems and in Ontario, Canada, 2000-2016
19. Trends in public sector radiological usage in the Western Cape Province, South Africa: 2009–2019
20. National and regional trends in MRI utilization in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
21. MRI Technologist Demographics and Statistics in The US
22. How much do Knee MRIs cost? (2023)
23. Will Medicare Cover My MRI?
24. Low-cost MRI Machine
25. How do healthcare prices and use in the U.S. compare to other countries?
26. Average prices of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in selected countries in 2017
27. Out-of-Pocket Expenditures for Imaging Examinations
28. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
29. Diagnostic Imaging Dataset Annual Statistical Release 2021/22
30. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units in the United Kingdom (UK)
31. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners in Germany
32. Availability of CT and MRI units in hospitals