Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
SOC code 29-9021 · O*NET-SOC 29-9021.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$68,020
a year
Hourly
$32.70
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$74,970
$36.04 per hour
Middle 50%
$48,940 – $95,630
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$39,830 – $117,420
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
38,100
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $39,830
- $19.15/hr
- 25th percentile
- $48,940
- $23.53/hr
- Median percentile
- $68,020
- $32.70/hr
- 75th percentile
- $95,630
- $45.98/hr
- 90th percentile
- $117,420
- $56.45/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+15%
Growing much faster than average
41,900
jobs in 2024
48,100
projected for 2034
About 6,200 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do health information technologists and medical registrars do?
Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Assign the patient to diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), using appropriate computer software.
- Compile medical care and census data for statistical reports on diseases treated, surgery performed, or use of hospital beds.
- Design databases to support healthcare applications, ensuring security, performance and reliability.
- Develop in-service educational materials.
- Evaluate and recommend upgrades or improvements to existing computerized healthcare systems.
- Facilitate and promote activities, such as lunches, seminars, or tours, to foster healthcare information privacy or security awareness within the organization.
- Identify, compile, abstract, and code patient data, using standard classification systems.
- Manage the department or supervise clerical workers, directing or controlling activities of personnel in the medical records department.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a health information technologists and medical registrars earn?
The national median is $68,020 a year. The full range runs from $39,830 at the 10th percentile to $117,420 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 information technologists and medical registrars without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is health information technologists and medical registrars in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 15% 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.