Medical Records Specialists
SOC code 29-2072 · O*NET-SOC 29-2072.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Medical records and health information work is certificate or associate-degree based, with the RHIT and coding credentials (CCA, CCS) marking the pay steps. It is one of the more remote-friendly roles in healthcare administration.
Medical Records Specialists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$51,140
a year
Hourly
$24.59
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$56,790
$27.30 per hour
Middle 50%
$43,490 – $64,820
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,000 – $81,150
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
194,720
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,000
- $17.79/hr
- 25th percentile
- $43,490
- $20.91/hr
- Median percentile
- $51,140
- $24.59/hr
- 75th percentile
- $64,820
- $31.17/hr
- 90th percentile
- $81,150
- $39.01/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+7%
Growing faster than average
194,800
jobs in 2024
208,600
projected for 2034
About 13,800 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 medical records specialist 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. Includes medical coders.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Protect the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.
- Review records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with regulations.
- Scan patients' health records into electronic formats.
- Resolve or clarify codes or diagnoses with conflicting, missing, or unclear information by consulting with doctors or others or by participating in the coding team's regular meetings.
- Release information to persons or agencies according to regulations.
- Compile and maintain patients' medical records to document condition and treatment and to provide data for research or cost control and care improvement efforts.
- Identify, compile, abstract, and code patient data, using standard classification systems.
- Enter data, such as demographic characteristics, history and extent of disease, diagnostic procedures, or treatment into computer.
How to become a medical records specialist
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 medical records specialist earn?
The national median is $51,140 a year. The full range runs from $37,000 at the 10th percentile to $81,150 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 medical records specialist 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 medical records specialist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 7% between 2024 and 2034 — growing 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 Comprehension3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.4/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Writing3.1/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Administrative4.3/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
- Communications and Media2.9/5
- Public Safety and Security2.9/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation.