Medical Records Specialists earn $51,140 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $43,490 and $64,820. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders.
Also known as:
Medical Records Specialists earn $51,140 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,490 and $64,820. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The BLS projects +7.1% employment change for Medical Records Specialists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 14,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Medical Records Specialists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $51,140 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 20,390 | $47,230 | -7.6% |
| 2 | California | 19,750 | $59,700 | +16.7% |
| 3 | Florida | 15,510 | $45,990 | -10.1% |
| 4 | New York | 8,510 | $59,750 | +16.8% |
| 5 | Ohio | 8,180 | $51,420 | +0.5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Medical Records Specialists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health Administration | 85,302 | $58,716 | 1,975 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 2 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 4 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 5 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 6 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | 90 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
Once you've sized up Medical Records Specialists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Medical Records Specialists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
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Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
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The data on Medical Records Specialists shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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