Medical Records Specialists Salary

The median medical records specialists salary in the United States is $51,140 per year ($24.59/hour). Salaries range from $37,000 at the entry level to $81,150+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 194,720 medical records specialists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 7.1% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asMedical CoderMedical BillerHIM SpecialistMedical Records Technician
Median Salary
$51,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.59
per hour
Employment
194,720
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$37,000
25th percentile
$43,490
Median
$51,140
75th percentile
$64,820
90th percentile
$81,150

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+7.1%
Faster than average

Annual Openings

14,200
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Medical Records Specialists Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for medical records specialistss.

Medical records specialists (health information technicians, HIM specialists, medical coders, and clinical documentation specialists) organize and code patient records for reimbursement, quality reporting, and regulatory compliance. The field splits into HIM/records management and medical coding (inpatient DRG, outpatient CPT/HCPCS, professional fee). Entry (post-credential) $42-58k; established $55-78k with CPC or RHIT; senior/inpatient DRG $70-95k with CCS or RHIA; CDI specialist $78-115k; HIM manager $95-145k. Remote work is common; certified coders often work from home.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding
Diagnosis coding (CM) and inpatient procedure coding (PCS). Understanding coding guidelines, conventions, and the difference between primary/principal diagnosis and comorbidity coding.
CPT and HCPCS Level II coding
Outpatient and professional-fee coding. E/M coding under 2021 guidelines, surgical global periods, modifier use (24, 25, 57, 59, 78, 79, 91), and NCCI edits.
MS-DRG and APC assignment
Inpatient DRG methodology, CC/MCC identification for correct DRG relative weight, and outpatient APC grouping for facility billing.
Clinical documentation review
Reading H&P, progress notes, operative reports, and discharge summaries. Querying providers when documentation doesn't support the code β€” professionally and per AHIMA/ACDIS guidelines.
EHR and coding platform fluency
Epic, Cerner (Oracle Health), Meditech; encoder tools (3M 360, TruCode, Optum); billing platforms (Athena, eClinicalWorks). Reading a chart quickly in Epic Hyperspace or Cerner PowerChart is the daily muscle.
HIPAA privacy and release of information
Minimum necessary standard, patient authorization requirements, release-of-information (ROI) workflows, and breach reporting. Records specialists often handle ROI requests directly.
Compliance, audits, and denials
Understanding OIG work plan risks, RAC audits, MAC medical reviews, and payer denials. Coder accuracy directly affects reimbursement and audit exposure.

How to Become a Medical Records Specialists

  1. 1
    Complete an AHIMA- or AAPC-recognized program
    Associate's in Health Information Management (AHIMA-accredited), or a coding certificate program (AAPC's approved schools). 6-24 months. $2-15k.
  2. 2
    Pass a foundational credential β€” CPC (AAPC) or RHIT (AHIMA) for entry-level; CCS or RHIA for advanced
    CPC (Certified Professional Coder): outpatient/pro-fee focus, $399 exam. CCS (Certified Coding Specialist): inpatient DRG focus, $399. RHIT and RHIA are HIM-track. Every credential requires CEUs to maintain.
  3. 3
    Take a first role as a coder or HIM tech at $42-58k
    Hospitals, physician practices, coding services (AAPC Business, Aviacode, Ciox), payer companies, and government (CMS, VA). Remote roles are common.
  4. 4
    Specialize in inpatient DRG, outpatient specialty (surgery, cardiology, radiology), or CDI
    Specialty coding earns $10-25k above generalist coding. Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) roles pay premium and often require RN or coding credential.
  5. 5
    Advance to lead coder, HIM supervisor, or director
    Lead coder / auditor $75-105k. HIM supervisor $85-125k. Director of HIM $115-175k. Some transition to compliance officer or revenue cycle director roles.

Career Progression

Entry Coder / HIM Technician
0-3 yrs$42-58k
  • β€’Code outpatient or professional-fee charts under supervision
  • β€’Handle release-of-information requests and chart requests
  • β€’Maintain records integrity in the EHR
  • β€’Complete initial credential (CPC, CCA, or RHIT)
Next: Coder / HIM Specialist at 2-4 years.
Coder / HIM Specialist
3-8 yrs$55-82k
  • β€’Code independently across outpatient specialties or inpatient
  • β€’Query providers on documentation gaps
  • β€’Handle payer denials and rebilling
  • β€’Mentor new coders
Next: Senior / DRG Coder / CDI at 6-12 years.
Senior / DRG Coder / CDI Specialist
6-15 yrs$78-115k
  • β€’Inpatient DRG coding with CC/MCC optimization
  • β€’Clinical documentation improvement queries
  • β€’Chart audits for compliance and quality
  • β€’Serve as SME to physicians and revenue cycle
Next: Lead / Auditor / Supervisor at 10-18 years.
Lead Auditor / HIM Supervisor / Manager
12+ yrs$95-155k
  • β€’Manage a team of 6-25 coders and HIM staff
  • β€’Own coding accuracy and productivity targets
  • β€’Handle payer audits and appeals
  • β€’Report to Director of HIM or Revenue Cycle
Next: Director of HIM or Compliance Officer.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. A physician documents 'sepsis' in the discharge summary but the SIRS criteria aren't clearly met in the chart. What do you do?technical
Query the physician per AHIMA/ACDIS guidelines. Sepsis coding requires specific clinical support because it drives DRG assignment and is a top audit target for RACs and MACs. Frame the query neutrally: 'Based on the documentation, is the sepsis clinically supported? Please clarify if this represents sepsis with organ dysfunction, severe sepsis, or a different infection.' Never code sepsis without clinical support just because the word appears β€” it's a coding compliance issue and a common denial target.
Q2. Walk me through your process for coding an outpatient E/M visit under the 2021 guidelines.technical
2021 E/M is coded by either MDM (medical decision making) or total time on the date of service. For MDM: assess the number and complexity of problems, amount and complexity of data, and risk of complications. For time: total minutes including reviewing records, ordering and reviewing tests, counseling, and documentation. Choose the higher level supported. Under 2021 rules, history and exam elements don't drive the code level, but should still be documented for clinical care.
Q3. A payer denies a claim you coded. How do you handle it?situational
Read the denial reason. Pull the chart, the code assigned, and the payer's medical policy or LCD. Identify whether the denial is legitimate (a coding error, documentation gap, or missing modifier) or reversible (payer misunderstood the record or misapplied policy). File an appeal with a specific explanation and supporting documentation. Track denial patterns β€” recurring denials from a specific payer or code typically point to a workflow issue.
Q4. How do you handle a physician who refuses to respond to a query?situational
Escalate professionally. First, resend the query with more clinical context. Second, involve the physician's department chair or medical director. Third, work with the CDI or HIM director to structure a physician-education session. Never code without proper documentation just to close the chart β€” that's a compliance issue that ends careers.
Q5. Where do you see your career in 5 years?closer
Inpatient DRG coding, CDI specialist, auditor, or HIM supervisor. Say which and why. Directors invest in coders with a plan; the ones who float without direction plateau.

Resume Template β€” Medical Coder / HIM Specialist (3-8 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Medical Coder / HIM Specialist (3-8 yrs)
  • β–ΈOutpatient surgery coder for a 400-bed hospital system; 45-55 charts per day at 96.8% accuracy.
  • β–ΈCPC and CCS-P credentialed; expert in orthopedic, cardiology, and gastroenterology procedure coding.
  • β–ΈReduced pre-bill hold rate from 4.2% to 1.6% by tightening query workflow.
  • β–Έ$68k base + $4k productivity bonus + $2k CEU allowance + remote work.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Weak on ICD-10-CM/PCS guidelines and coding conventions.
  • βœ—Codes without querying when documentation is ambiguous β€” a compliance and audit risk.
  • βœ—Poor accuracy β€” below 92-95% depending on employer standards.
  • βœ—Weak on HIPAA β€” releases records or discusses PHI inappropriately.
  • βœ—Cannot handle payer denials or medical necessity appeals.
  • βœ—No willingness to invest in ongoing education; coding rules change annually.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), RHIA, and CDI credentials each add $8-20k above CPC-only.
  • βœ“Inpatient DRG coding pays 15-25% above outpatient generalist coding.
  • βœ“Specialty coding (interventional cardiology, orthopedic surgery, oncology) commands premium pricing.
  • βœ“CDI (Clinical Documentation Improvement) specialists earn $78-115k; RN + coding is the highest-paying combination.
  • βœ“Remote work is standard; leverage it for cost-of-living arbitrage.
  • βœ“Consulting and per-chart coding services (Aviacode, Ciox, Nuance Coding as a Service) pay per production with strong OT potential.
  • βœ“PSLF eligibility at non-profit hospitals and health systems adds $30-80k over 10 years.

Medical Records Specialists Resume Review β€” $29

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  • βœ“ Missing skills / keywords flagged
  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Medical Records Specialists Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
  • βœ“ Interview format intel for 6 top employers
  • βœ“ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
  • βœ“ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
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Medical Records Specialists Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$42K
$72Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

District of Columbia
$72K
+41%
Rhode Island
$64K
+25%
Hawaii
$63K
+24%
Washington
$62K
+22%
California
$62K
+21%
New York
$62K
+21%
Minnesota
$62K
+20%
Alaska
$61K
+19%
Connecticut
$61K
+19%
Massachusetts
$60K
+18%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
District of Columbia$72,040+40.9%
Rhode Island$63,960+25.1%
Hawaii$63,180+23.5%
Washington$62,270+21.8%
California$61,810+20.9%
New York$61,720+20.7%
Minnesota$61,530+20.3%
Alaska$61,090+19.5%
Connecticut$60,940+19.2%
Massachusetts$60,350+18.0%
1–10 of 51

Medical Records Specialists Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$86,890+69.9%
Vallejo, CA$82,230+60.8%
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$75,150+46.9%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$74,400+45.5%
New Haven, CT$67,290+31.6%
Iowa City, IA$66,340+29.7%
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI$65,730+28.5%
Cheyenne, WY$65,680+28.4%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$65,530+28.1%
Urban Honolulu, HI$65,220+27.5%
1–10 of 376
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A medical records specialists earning $51,140/year would need 1166 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1251 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how medical records specialists salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Medical Records Specialists salary trend (2011–2024) β†’