Medical Records Specialist Salary
Medical Records Specialists earn a median $51,140 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$51,140
$24.59 per hour
Range
$37,000 – $81,150
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
194,720
across the U.S.
▲1.8%
Pay trend: The median for medical records specialists in the U.S. rose from $50,250 (May 2024) to $51,140 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.6%.
What medical records specialists do
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.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.8% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 14,000
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 14,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Medical Records Specialist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$43,271
per year · effective tax rate 15.4%
$3,606Monthly
$1,803Twice a month
$1,664Every 2 weeks
$20.80Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,957
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,171
- Medicare (1.45%)$742
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$43,271
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,000 | $17.79 | $31,910 |
| 25th percentile | $43,490 | $20.91 | $37,124 |
| Median (50th) | $51,140 | $24.59 | $43,271 |
| 75th percentile | $64,820 | $31.16 | $54,263 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,150 | $39.01 | $65,919 |
Best cities for medical records specialists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $65,530 | $54,833 | $49,340 | 2,830 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $58,950 | $47,110 | $47,082 | 2,790 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $57,970 | $46,034 | $44,437 | 4,510 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $60,460 | $47,957 | $44,295 | 2,630 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $51,250 | $43,359 | $43,962 | 3,680 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $58,810 | $47,058 | $43,218 | 2,370 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $61,190 | $48,639 | $43,210 | 8,090 |
| 8 | Dallas, TX | $52,140 | $44,074 | $42,753 | 5,210 |
| 9 | Tampa, FL | $50,020 | $42,371 | $41,997 | 2,450 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,110 | $47,310 | $41,659 | 7,240 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $49,700 | $40,588 | $39,577 | 3,260 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,450 | $39,329 | $38,066 | 2,480 |
| 13 | Miami, FL | $49,010 | $41,560 | $36,406 | 4,530 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $65,530
- New York, NY — $61,190
- Boston, MA — $60,460
- Los Angeles, CA — $59,110
- Atlanta, GA — $58,950
- Washington, DC — $58,810
- Chicago, IL — $57,970
- Dallas, TX — $52,140
- Houston, TX — $51,250
- Tampa, FL — $50,020
- Philadelphia, PA — $49,700
- Miami, FL — $49,010
- Phoenix, AZ — $47,450
Medical Records Specialist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,040 | +11.4% | $56,274 | $46,300 – $128,010 | 270 |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 | +1.0% | $51,790 | $44,650 – $84,540 | 650 |
| Hawaii | $63,180 | +0.3% | $49,674 | $45,700 – $91,650 | 400 |
| Washington | $62,270 | +0.0% | $52,214 | $45,500 – $98,130 | 5,010 |
| California | $61,810 | +3.5% | $49,283 | $43,800 – $102,470 | 18,700 |
| New York | $61,720 | +3.3% | $49,036 | $40,730 – $101,940 | 9,080 |
| Minnesota | $61,530 | +3.7% | $48,959 | $48,120 – $83,020 | 3,150 |
| Alaska | $61,090 | +7.7% | $51,266 | $46,390 – $90,530 | 1,070 |
| Connecticut | $60,940 | +4.6% | $49,328 | $40,490 – $88,900 | 1,120 |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 | +5.5% | $47,874 | $43,960 – $81,620 | 3,500 |
| Wisconsin | $60,280 | +9.1% | $48,744 | $46,750 – $79,720 | 2,870 |
| Colorado | $59,020 | +6.5% | $47,714 | $45,280 – $82,980 | 1,780 |
| Oregon | $59,000 | +3.0% | $45,254 | $44,260 – $81,120 | 2,560 |
| Vermont | $57,560 | +18.4% | $46,935 | $42,130 – $77,580 | — |
| New Mexico | $57,470 | +14.2% | $46,822 | $36,600 – $76,460 | 1,400 |
| Illinois | $56,440 | +14.2% | $44,881 | $38,890 – $77,520 | 5,740 |
| Delaware | $56,060 | +7.8% | $44,790 | $36,870 – $77,500 | 610 |
| South Carolina | $54,280 | −7.2% | $43,694 | $37,240 – $71,280 | 2,750 |
| Maryland | $54,220 | −8.3% | $43,534 | $35,400 – $82,090 | 2,440 |
| Wyoming | $54,210 | +1.2% | $45,738 | $37,930 – $79,530 | 280 |
| Idaho | $53,460 | +9.2% | $43,410 | $39,930 – $77,840 | 1,490 |
| Oklahoma | $53,460 | +10.0% | $43,275 | $36,610 – $74,710 | 2,480 |
| Virginia | $53,290 | +2.9% | $42,748 | $37,630 – $78,680 | 4,630 |
| Utah | $52,870 | +10.8% | $43,248 | $35,720 – $82,640 | 1,910 |
| Maine | $52,090 | +6.3% | $41,700 | $42,210 – $76,660 | 1,000 |
| Nebraska | $51,670 | +6.7% | $42,225 | $38,620 – $74,990 | 1,640 |
| South Dakota | $51,610 | +2.6% | $43,649 | $36,920 – $76,950 | 900 |
| Georgia | $51,550 | +5.2% | $41,548 | $36,260 – $81,580 | 5,930 |
| Ohio | $50,990 | −0.8% | $42,531 | $38,060 – $79,290 | 7,440 |
| Missouri | $50,750 | +3.3% | $41,510 | $38,880 – $77,010 | 3,890 |
| Iowa | $50,640 | −1.8% | $41,597 | $38,910 – $66,390 | 2,250 |
| Nevada | $50,300 | −16.9% | $42,596 | $36,990 – $81,140 | 2,350 |
| New Jersey | $50,240 | +0.7% | $41,320 | $33,280 – $83,650 | 4,450 |
| Montana | $50,190 | +0.5% | $40,905 | $40,460 – $64,540 | 820 |
| North Carolina | $49,620 | +3.7% | $40,579 | $36,840 – $79,670 | 6,760 |
| New Hampshire | $49,210 | +2.0% | $41,720 | $39,120 – $68,980 | 930 |
| Texas | $48,860 | +3.5% | $41,439 | $34,440 – $78,390 | 17,210 |
| Tennessee | $48,780 | −1.9% | $41,375 | $37,320 – $79,960 | 4,440 |
| Kentucky | $48,410 | +0.8% | $39,501 | $36,290 – $74,520 | 4,210 |
| Kansas | $48,160 | −1.0% | $38,989 | $36,680 – $77,910 | 2,030 |
| Michigan | $48,120 | −0.2% | $39,050 | $37,180 – $77,080 | 4,890 |
| Indiana | $47,670 | +1.1% | $39,106 | $38,270 – $79,270 | 5,860 |
| Arizona | $47,630 | −4.3% | $39,469 | $36,530 – $75,430 | 3,750 |
| West Virginia | $47,360 | +8.4% | $38,830 | $31,610 – $75,000 | 1,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,840 | +0.2% | $38,378 | $37,490 – $77,880 | 6,970 |
| North Dakota | $46,280 | −13.6% | $39,366 | $39,580 – $79,800 | 520 |
| Florida | $45,760 | −0.5% | $38,948 | $36,330 – $76,850 | 21,490 |
| Louisiana | $44,610 | +1.8% | $37,072 | $32,900 – $77,080 | 2,600 |
| Alabama | $43,810 | +13.7% | $35,456 | $30,250 – $64,730 | 2,330 |
| Arkansas | $41,740 | +4.6% | $34,303 | $33,920 – $65,090 | 1,920 |
| Mississippi | $41,500 | +3.8% | $34,597 | $31,010 – $61,580 | 2,310 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician | $47,380 | Associate's degree | +9.4% |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,570 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +21.4% |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +22.3% |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.8% |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical records specialist make?
The national median salary for medical records specialists is $51,140 a year ($24.59 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,000 and the top 10% earn over $81,150. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays medical records specialists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $72,040. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many medical records specialists are there in the U.S.?
About 194,720 people work as medical records specialists nationwide.