Health Informatics Specialists

SOC code 15-1211 · O*NET-SOC 15-1211.01 · Extensive preparation needed · Computer and IT

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Health Informatics Specialists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$105,850

a year

Hourly

$50.89

per hour

10th$67,340Median$105,85090th$167,710

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$114,610

$55.10 per hour

Middle 50%

$82,860 – $134,110

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$67,340 – $167,710

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

519,530

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Computer Systems Analysts”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $67,340; $32.37/hr
25th percentile: $82,860; $39.84/hr
Median percentile: $105,850; $50.89/hr
75th percentile: $134,110; $64.48/hr
90th percentile: $167,710; $80.63/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+9%

Growing much faster than average

521,100

jobs in 2024

566,500

projected for 2034

About 45,400 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What does a health informatics specialist do?

Apply knowledge of nursing and informatics to assist in the design, development, and ongoing modification of computerized health care systems. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the health care system.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Translate nursing practice information between nurses and systems engineers, analysts, or designers, using object-oriented models or other techniques.
Use informatics science to design or implement health information technology applications for resolution of clinical or health care administrative problems.
Develop or implement policies or practices to ensure the privacy, confidentiality, or security of patient information.
Analyze and interpret patient, nursing, or information systems data to improve nursing services.
Identify, collect, record, or analyze data relevant to the nursing care of patients.
Apply knowledge of computer science, information science, nursing, and informatics theory to nursing practice, education, administration, or research, in collaboration with other health informatics specialists.
Develop, implement, or evaluate health information technology applications, tools, processes, or structures to assist nurses with data management.
Design, develop, select, test, implement, and evaluate new or modified informatics solutions, data structures, and decision-support mechanisms to support patients, health care professionals, and their information management and human-computer and human-technology interactions within health care contexts.

How to become a health informatics specialist

Most people in this role hold master's degree — 52% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Master's Degree52%
Bachelor's Degree19%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10%
Post-Secondary Certificate5%

Common questions

How much does a health informatics specialist earn?

The national median is $105,850 a year. The full range runs from $67,340 at the 10th percentile to $167,710 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a health informatics specialist without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Is health informatics specialist in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.4/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Writing4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Critical Thinking4.0/5
Active Learning3.8/5
Learning Strategies3.8/5

Knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics4.2/5
English Language4.0/5
Medicine and Dentistry3.7/5
Education and Training3.7/5
Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
Administration and Management3.5/5
Mathematics3.2/5
Design3.2/5

Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis.