How Much Does a Shoulder MRI Cost?

Median cash price $650 Most people pay $550–$670
$650 median $0 $800+

Full range $345–$3,320 · Based on cash prices clinics publish · Updated October 2026

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Shoulder MRIs are ordered constantly — rotator cuff tears, labrum injuries, unexplained pain that won't resolve. Clinics price them under a single billing code that covers any joint of the arm, so the figures above reflect what clinics charge for a shoulder, elbow, or wrist MRI: same code, same price at a given clinic.

What moves the price of a shoulder MRI?

  • Where you go. Standalone imaging centers routinely charge a fraction of a hospital's price for the identical joint MRI.
  • Contrast / arthrogram. Most shoulder MRIs don't need contrast. An MR arthrogram (dye injected into the joint, sometimes used for labrum tears) is a different, more involved study — confirm which one your doctor ordered.
  • Whether the reading is included. Ask for the all-in price with the radiologist's interpretation, so there's nothing extra later.

Frequently asked questions

Is an elbow or wrist MRI the same price as a shoulder MRI?
Usually, yes. Clinics bill any joint of the upper extremity — shoulder, elbow, or wrist — under the same procedure code, so a given clinic typically quotes the same cash price for each.
Do I need a referral for a shoulder MRI?
Most centers ask for a doctor's order. Some offer self-pay MRIs without one — each clinic's page shows what's required.
Why do shoulder MRI prices vary so much?
The facility type is the biggest factor: hospital radiology departments often charge several times what a standalone imaging center charges for the identical scan. Comparing two or three clinics is the easiest way to save.

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Writing about healthcare prices? You're welcome to cite these figures with a link back to this page. Embed the live price-range chart:

Source: Expected Health — Shoulder MRI cost

These are self-reported cash (self-pay) prices collected from clinics and standardized to a common procedure so the same scan is compared like-for-like; they may have changed since collection. They are estimates for general guidance, not quotes — you can confirm current pricing by contacting the clinic directly. Insurance pricing differs from cash pricing. This page is not medical or financial advice.