How Much Can You Make Working in Health Information Management?
Professionals in the health information management field help healthcare organizations collect, manage, and safeguard their patients’ private information. They often use digital systems to perform these tasks, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs).
If you are interested in a career in health information management, you may be curious about what you can earn. Here we provide health information management technician wage information, including a state-by-state breakdown, factors that can affect pay, and more.
Health Information Management Wages (Annually, Hourly, and Monthly)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not report wages for health information management technicians specifically. Instead, this role is covered under the job title of medical records specialist.
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for individuals in a medical records specialist role was $47,180 per year as of May 2022, or $22.69 per hour.1 As the median, this means that half of those in a health information management technician role made less than this amount, and half earned more.
The BLS adds that the lowest 10% of earners in this field had a median annual wage under $31,710 in May 2022 or $15.25 per hour.1 UMA graduates in the 2021-2022 cohort of its Health Information Management degree program reported to UMA that they earned a median hourly wage that is approximately at or slightly higher than the BLS’s lowest decile.2
If working full-time at 40 hours per week, the median monthly pay would be around $3,931. If working part-time, monthly income would be less.
Medical Records Specialist Wages by State
Wages in a Medical Records Specialist role can vary based on the state in which you work. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the mean annual wage as of May 2022:1
| State | Mean Annual Wages |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $40,250 |
| Alaska | $56,210 |
| Arizona | $45,610 |
| Arkansas | $40,410 |
| California | $65,850 |
| Colorado | $53,410 |
| Connecticut | $60,410 |
| Delaware | $47,380 |
| Florida | $47,320 |
| Georgia | $47,200 |
| Hawaii | $61,190 |
| Idaho | $48,060 |
| Illinois | $51,450 |
| Indiana | $48,890 |
| Iowa | $47,180 |
| Kansas | $44,970 |
| Kentucky | $45,180 |
| Louisiana | $47,870 |
| Maine | $49,220 |
| Maryland | $57,940 |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 |
| Michigan | $45,920 |
| Minnesota | $57,320 |
| Mississippi | $39,470 |
| Missouri | $49,020 |
| Montana | $46,530 |
| Nebraska | $46,300 |
| Nevada | $42,890 |
| New Hampshire | $46,250 |
| New Jersey | $68,500 |
| New Mexico | $46,670 |
| New York | $55,400 |
| North Carolina | $46,890 |
| North Dakota | $48,590 |
| Ohio | $47,410 |
| Oklahoma | $46,350 |
| Oregon | $54,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,070 |
| Rhode Island | $51,410 |
| South Carolina | $52,050 |
| South Dakota | $49,640 |
| Tennessee | $48,890 |
| Texas | $44,680 |
| Utah | $50,230 |
| Vermont | $48,330 |
| Virginia | $52,580 |
| Washington | $58,480 |
| West Virginia | $42,470 |
| Wisconsin | $51,010 |
| Wyoming | $52,330 |
| Puerto Rico | $26,310 |
| Washington D.C. | $60,410 |
Factors That Can Impact Health Information Management Pay
Several factors can impact pay in a health information management technician role. They include:3
- Experience level
- Whether you hold any advanced certifications
- Skill sets related to the role
- Recommendations from previous employers
- Employer wage structure
Ready to Pursue Career Training in Health Information Management?
If you are interested in the health information management field, UMA offers a Health Information Management associate degree program. This program enables you to earn your degree mostly online, participate in an on-site practicum, and can be completed in 18 months.4
UMA’s Health Information Management associate degree program prepares you to pursue entry-level positions in this healthcare role. It also helps prepare you for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam, if you meet the eligibility requirements to sit for this exam.
UMA’s Health Information Management associate degree program is accredited by the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). It includes core courses such as Introduction to Health Information and the Healthcare Record, Introduction to Computer Office Productivity Applications, and Information Technology in the Healthcare Environment.
If you’re wondering what UMA is about, one of the most notable things to understand is that we support our students every step of the way. During your time as a student, we work with you to overcome your learning challenges. Our career services team can also assist with your job search, whether that involves helping you craft a solid resume or running you through a mock job interview.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you prepare to pursue a health information management entry-level role. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Health Information Management accreditor of Ultimate Medical Academy’s Health Information Management program is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Ultimate Medical Academy’s accreditation for the Health Information Management associate degree has been reaffirmed through 2033-2034. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601; by phone at 312-235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wages. Medical Records Specialists. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292072.htm
2 UMA’s 2021-2022 graduate earnings estimate is based on wage information obtained for UMA’s graduates from the cohort. Earnings information was typically obtained by a self-report from the graduate, and occasionally from the graduate’s employer or other sources.
3 Indeed Career Guide. What Is a Salary Range and How Do Employers Use It? https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/range-salary
4 Completion time can vary depending on individual student.
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Talk with us. Start your journey.
Complete this form and we'll call you to explore options at UMA and answer your questions. We'll also email you info on how to get started. We're with you at every step!
About the Author
Christina DeBuskChristina DeBusk is a freelance writer who has been providing health and wellness content to healthcare organizations such as the American Chiropractic Association and International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) since 2011. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Central Michigan University, minoring in psychology. She has also earned several ISSA certifications, including Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Specialist, achieving the status of Elite Trainer.
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